Kay Pasa in Rosarito
Surf’s Up, Steak &Lobster Going Down

By Ron Raposa

From surfing (as a participant or onlooker), to a steak and lobster festival, to the famous Rosarito-Ensenada bike ride (you’ve got to work off all that food somehow), activities aren’t falling off in Rosarito now that fall is here.
Those are a few of the main events in Rosarito during September. October also looks to be a full month as well,with the annual home furnishings and art show coming up on the grounds of the Rosarito Beach Hotel --- but more about that later.
Right now, surf’s up.
For the first time in its history, the Mexican National Surfing Championships will be held in Rosarito Beach this Sept. 19 through Sept. 23.
Twenty-eight member teams of amateurs from each of Mexico’s 14 states will compete in 10 categories. They are the finalists from previous competitions held in Ixtapa and Cancun.
From the Rosarito event, a 28-member Mexican national team will be selected to compete at the Pan-American championships in November in Chile and the world championships next May in Portugal, Vega said.
At the September event in Rosarito, up to 40 entries will be accepted for an open competition which will feature trophies and prize money and be held in conjunction with the championships.
About 5,000 people are expected to attend the competition, which also will include contests, music and other entertainment, Vega said. Registration and other details are available at www.rosarito.org .
Rosarito was chosen for this year’s championships because of its proximity to “California, the Mecca of surfing,” and because Rosarito city officials and business leaders were very supportive of the event, Vega said.
“And it has good waves,” Vega added of Rosarito, which includes famous K-38 among surfing spots along its 20 miles of coastline.
“This is an exciting event for the city of Rosarito,” said Laura Torres, president of the Hotel & Motel Association and director of the host hotel. “We look forward to welcoming the surfers, their friends and families and many fans.”
Sept. 23: Seventh Annual Steak & Lobster Festival at the Rosarito Beach Hotel, 01152-661-0700 or www.bajafoodrosarito.org
(Speaking of lobster, Kay Pasa says she’s waiting for someone to invent a lobster-scented air freshener. I’d buy it, although the cat might have a hard time handling it.)
Sept. 29 Rosarito-Ensenada Bike Ride, 1-800-962-2252 or www.rosaritoensenada.com
Event listings and other information are always available at www.rosarito.org
Events organized by Rosarito’s large and vibrant expatriate community are at www.rosaritotowncrier.com