Surfing Pichilemu, Chile
The boss gave me a weeks notice to prepare for a trip to Chile which really meant that I had pretty limited time to find out about the surf over there! So, where is the surf? I called my Chilea n contact William, he did a bit of searching for me and within a couple of days I had a pretty good idea of where to go. With a 4000km coastline, there are plenty of options stretching from Iquique in the north to the very much unexplored south coast, but the premier spot is relatively close to the capital of Chile, just a 1.5hr drive (or 3 to 4 hr bus ride) west from Santiago, would take me to Pichilemu. This place is about the same latitude as Scarborough so if the world was flat and you had a decent telescope you'd probably see it from the pub, but that's where the similarities end, other than both places have great surf……………….and cool locals.

Pichilemu is a very laid back coastal town however, during holiday season, January and February the place is packed with Chileans doing their summer holiday by the beach thing. Out side these months, the only visitors are surfers and weekenders from the city. There were a few Americans in town, some of these guys come for 2 to 3 months every year and I must say it was a pleasure hanging out and surfing with these well travelled Sepos. The water is cold because the Humlboldt current carries water from the Antarctic right up the west coast of South American, the water temp doesn't change too much between summer and winter, 16° to 19°, the sand is clean but grey. The coastal area is dry but the scenery is quite spectacular with big rocky headlands, long beaches and rural land behind. Nobody speaks English, you can still get around by horse and cart. This is a great place! The day I arrived the surf was 2 to 3ft, I was told this that this is as bad as it gets. I believe it too as the surf prodominately comes from Antarctic lows, there is nothing out there to stop the swell hitting this coast. It was big and consistent for the rest of my stay.cont>