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Family Traditions
Gabe & Luke Matthews & generations of love for Baja

Family Traditions

by Gabe Matthews

Our family’s connection to Baja began at a very young age. We grew up surfing, spending countless weeks exploring the Baja coastline in search of waves. My father would take us on two-week trips at a time, driving up and down the Pacific side and stopping wherever the surf looked promising.

Matthews family fishing in Baja

By the time I turned eighteen, we had already made the journey to Cabo more than a dozen times.

As I grew older and began traveling with my own family, my appreciation for Baja deepened. It became more than just the Pacific coast. I discovered the beauty of the Sea of Cortez and developed a love for fishing in places like Loreto and Bahía de los Ángeles.

Group of kids friends in Baja

Baja was no longer just a destination: it became part of our family’s story and traditions.

About ten years ago, a friend invited me to help support him during the NORRA 1000. That experience changed everything. I brought my son Luke, who was eight years old at the time, and together we spent six unforgettable days chasing my friend’s Baja Bug all the way to Cabo.

Group of friends racing the NORRA 1000

Watching Luke experience Baja for the first time through the lens of off-road racing opened my eyes to an entirely new side of Mexico.

When we returned home, we were inspired. We purchased a RZR, and our off-road journey began.

Two Christian Brothers razrs parked in Baja

Racing in Baja is something that cannot truly be described: it must be lived. It is a combination of adrenaline, endurance, strategy, and teamwork, mixed with the raw beauty and unpredictability of the desert.

A race razr drives across the Baja desert

Every mile brings a new challenge, and every finish line carries a sense of accomplishment that is difficult to match anywhere else.

A race razr drives across the Baja desert dust

In our first few years of competition, we were fortunate to achieve several podium finishes, including a third-place overall result in our class. Those early successes fueled our drive and pushed us to take the next step forward.

Gabe and Luke Matthews celebrate next to their razr

Eventually, we moved into the Pro class, where the level of competition is on an entirely different scale and every race demands our very best.

Gabe and Luke Matthews celebrate standing on top of their razr race ATV

Today, Baja racing remains one of the most meaningful experiences of our lives. It represents family, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence.

The Christian Brothers Motorsports race ATV in the Baja desert

We look forward to continuing this journey and one day standing on the podium again: stronger, wiser, and more grateful for every mile that brought us there.

The Christian Brothers Motorsports team celebrates
About Our Sources
We work hard to maintain the validity and accuracy of the information we provide in our Before You Go guide to traveling into Mexico, and coming back to the United States. We source our information through government websites and the direct relationships we have with community and government leaders both in the United States and Mexico. Our team is based in San Diego and crosses the US/Mexico border often. Additionally we are involved with advocating for a better border crossing experience through our work with the Smart Border Coalition and regional chambers of commerce. Please contact us with questions or corrections.
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Baja Bound is the easiest way to set up coverage before you head into Baja. Online, 5-mins, you're...

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Thank you for this article. I did not know of my 5x great grandfather's connection to this mission!...