I first saw Pat in 1981 when I was a 19 year old surf rat living in my rat hut (I really lived with rats), behind Sophia’s house in Nexpa. I can remember one day Pat walked by my palapa hut with his coke bottle glasses and his 7’0 something pintail under his arm. Later that day, I asked Sophia, who was that guy? She told me he was Patricio and he had been surfing Nexpa for many years and the house on the hill was his. Later on, I was told by Victor from Petacalco who Pat Tobin was. Pat was well known for his secretive and territorial surfing explorations throughout Michoacán and Guerrero. 

 

 

When I used to see Pat he really didn’t pay much attention to my existence other than maybe a short glance and vibe that told me - hey grommet what are you doing here? Leave now and don't tell anyone.

 

I can recall Pat coming to Nexpa from time to time from Peta, surfing in those classic Speedos with a flow and style that could not be matched. From time to time Pat’s friends would come to stay at his place up on the hill overlooking the point (what a spectacular view), and I would go and hang there, drink beers and party with them. They were a wild bunch, those guys lived on the edge.

I ran into Pat in the mid 90’s back in Nexpa, he was painting down by the river. He came over to me to say hello and to ask me if I remembered him from back in the early days.  I said yeah, sure I remember you, but back then you never talked to me. He just smiled at me and after 20 some years finally gave me his silent seal of approval smile. On that day, I finally felt like I was accepted into the Patricio Brotherhood and from then on I understood the way he felt back in the early days. He was really "El Rey de las olas" and remember the 4 words? Pat is a legend.