Back in 2006, as a travelling nomad, I made the long journey to northern Peru to surf the longest left hander in the world, Chicama. At the time there wasn't much happening in Chicama itself and it was kind of dangerous for whitey’s, so I stayed in Huanchaco, a village an hour or so south. Huanchaco itself had a pretty nice left hand point break and some cool locals.
Out in the surf I started chatting in my broken Spanish to a local surfer, Juan Carlos. After my surf I went around to Juan Carlos’ house, he had some amazing old boards and was more than happy to let me surf them. He was also the proud owner of a traditional Peruvian hairless dog and puppy. They were pretty scabby looking but I really liked them. Apparently the Incas used them as hot water bottles.
I met some other travellers from Byron Bay and we spent a week surfing and partying. One bar in particular had a bunch of instruments and we spent hours jamming with the locals. I surfed Chicama a couple of times, we scored it big and clean on one occasion. Juan Carlos came with us as our local guide and navigated us through the local public transport network which was pretty intense. He even brought surf dvds to watch on the journey. Such a legend and really appreciated a local fella showing around some poor Australian surf bums.
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| Our man Huanchaco, Juan Carlos |
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| Juan Carlos' Peruvian hairless dog and some of his quiver |
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| Puppy Peruvian hairless dog |
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| Huanchaco town and lineup, pretty good waves |
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| Traditional Peruvian fishing canoes |
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| Spot the Aussie traveller |
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| Juan Carlos hooked us up with some surf films on the bus to Chicama, rest of the bus weren't as impressed |
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| First look at Chicama, dusty lineup |
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| Its a huge lineup, there are two more points around the corner |
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| The 'end' section |
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| Something about thieves will be burned |
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| Another day Chicama, bigger and lining up nicely |
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| Yew |
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| Some bigger ones off first point |
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| Famous Chicama personality El Hombre, he owns the hostel on the point |
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| Post surf tales and beers |
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| Loving life as a surfing nomad |
