How it all started

JAY LEFTSTEIN

Pure and simple, DELA SYNCRO came out of a love for the Vanagon, the people that are drawn to these vehicles, and the adventures that always seem to follow. Having attended several fun WetWestie events and having spent a lot of time at VW bug shows over the years, the thought to hold a Canadian event for Syncros entered my mind after I attended Syncro De Mayo in 2011 with Darryl C., and Kirk M. Syncro De Mayo was a lightbulb moment for me – I had a blast, and I loved that it was a small event that was very Syncro-centric. As soon as I got back to Squamish I called my buddy Mark (@dipple) in Whistler and we brainstormed all night about creating a uniquely Syncro Canadian event that we initially dubbed ‘Syncro De La Norte’.

Fast forward a few years…

I had sold ‘Storm’, (my first Syncro Westy, now owned by Rob and Jess @heretodayvanagontomorrow) and been missing that Syncro life. Mark called me and said “dude, there’s a Syncro in Alberta that needs some fixing up, doesn’t run, needs a tranny, and has rust, but He’s negotionable ” Sold!! . Just like that I was back in the game, sight unseen. Two weeks later I was asking my landlord if I could make some trails and hold an event. A new buddy, Vincent came on board and helped come up with the name and designs … four months later we hosted the first DE LA SYNCRO.

Friends, fire, and adventures…

A love of vans, friends egging me on to make some questionable decisions, and everything ending up with laughs and good times. Not much has changed from the first year to this one. Vans, friends, fires, adventure drives, and talking about vans. It just doesn’t get any better.