Surfing started in Peru centuries ago, only to swell in popularity on international shores yet remain on the fringes in of its home culture. It’s actually natural that surfing started in Peru. The long, lazy waves that eventually lick the rocks and sand are easy on the newbie. And being one myself, I finally took up an invitation to surf in Lima.
My Experience
It became evident that this is truly a Peruvian sport. Although I rose early (for a Saturday), this wasn’t necessary. You can rent a board any time of the morning or afternoon in Miraflores.
So, punctuality isn’t an issue. Definitely a very Peruvian thing.
The weather was sunny but the water frigid. My black swimsuit, a rental, made me feel like a warm sushi roll. Maybe this explained surfing’s relative lack of popularity. There are about 10 million people in the city, but only ten came to surf in Lima that day.
My arms spun and legs kicked as I followed my friend in the water. To the uninitiated, a surfboard is like a bigger, heavier boogie board. And that makes the simple act of getting in position a workout itself.
I tried to follow my friend’s instructions after turning the board to face the shore. And I shut down the voice in the back of my head saying “it’s OK if you don’t get up, a lot of first timers don’t“. My interest was in riding waves, not feeling pity for myself.
Now or Never
My legs moved madly upon selecting a wave and in trying to not lose it. But before I knew it, the wave was taking me. One lingering breath to loosen up later, my feet got in position on the board.
It was the moment of truth. Steadily I stood as the board continued on its own pace towards the rocky edge.
Yet all of a sudden, I was up. And to my somewhat disbelief, I wasn’t falling. My shoulders relaxed and rolled back as a hesitant smile crept over my face.
The exhilaration of knowing I did it meshed beautifully with the thrill of being on top of the sea, and the ocean air added its own particular pleasure as the board moved left and right as I saw fit.
To the right was the Rosa Nautica, a famous restaurant at the end of a pier. Straight ahead past the rocks, the Costa Verde had its traffic. And slightly above on top of the cliffs was the popular LarcoMar, an outdoor mall attracting tourists and Lima’s most fashionable residents.
As is the standard scene in Lima, these were all packed, and the surfing beach was not.
Those people in LarcoMar are fools, I said to myself.
After Sport, Food
We ended the morning satiating ourselves with pork chicharon sandwiches. Chicharron is probably the most popular weekend breakfast in the streets of Peru, and it should be.
While munching on sweet potato fries, I observed that nobody else had come from the beach. Everyone in Miraflores had another way to spend their morning.
I hoped for their sake they changed their minds the following weekend.
How to Surf in Lima
If you go, be ready to pay in cash. You can rent a board + suit for S/ 20-30 (under $10 USD!!!) for an hour. There are also lessons available. Prices depend on the number of people.
Of course, you can bring your own board. I recommend surfing at the bottom of the cliff in Miraflores. Just take the sidewalk from the Malecon or Parque Kennedy to the beach. This is the same place where you can rent boards or take lessons.
Conclusion
Surfing is a great way to have fun, work out, and conserve the environment. In Peru, waves are conserved by surfing and conservation groups. This prevents development or construction that may destroy superb surfing spots.
And the more people who surf and show interest, the more powerful these groups become!
Check out my article on what else to do in Lima to learn more about the city!!
Have you surfed in Lima or want to? Leave a comment below!
Hey, I am Jürgen from Germany and I will be travelling to Peru in April and May. Starting with three days in Lima, hoping to catch some waves and then travel up the coast towards Trujillo. I liked your description. see you in the line up, tal vez ;-) Jürgen
Hi Jurgen. Thanks for your comment. Enjoy the swells up north!
Surfing in Lima is an awesome experience that showcases the Peruvian surfing culture. The long, gentle waves make it ideal for beginners. Renting a board in Miraflores is convenient, and the sunny weather adds to the charm. Surfing in Lima is still relatively undiscovered, with only a few surfers on the beach. Riding the waves for the first time is exhilarating, offering breathtaking views of the city’s landmarks. Afterward, enjoying traditional Peruvian food like chicharron sandwiches is a must. Surfing in Lima supports environmental conservation efforts and helps protect the valuable surf spots. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity!
Well said!!!