Wave-finder - Central America
by Terry Gibson
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Book Summary Information
Author: Terry GibsonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-07-06
ISBN: 0958172684
Number of pages: 416
Publisher: Hedonist Surf Company
Book Reviews of Wave-finder - Central America
Book Review: An excellent surf companion
Summary: 4 Stars
After visiting El Salvador to surf in 2005, I was pleased to discover this recent (2006) guide to surfing in Central America. I wanted to check out some info on some of the great waves I surfed, formerly based on the advice of friends and the net. This little travel-friendly book is a good all-round guide to surfing in Central America (Guatamalea, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua), with major breaks, accommodation, best seasons, detailed monthly swell information, surf camps and guides, transport issues, safety issues, tides, winds, prices, basic maps, medical issues, political history, etc-basically the lot. It's up-to-date (2006) and has many useful tips.
One issue in surfing in Central America is paramount-safety, it isn't the safest place to spend a surf holiday, so you need some basic travel advice (eg leave that expensive watch at home, have back-up financial sources, don't travel alone at night etc). Surfing can sometimes take you to wild, remote places out of touch with even local security. If you are going to Central America to surf, this all-round guide is probably the most informative guide you can get, for both security, and for finding the best waves. Other useful sources are checking out the net, and asking locals when you get there (keeping an eye on who to ask).
As the editors mention, the technical information given per wave or surf region in this book is high, (one of the best aspects being detailed seasonal swell information), but they have not placed too much emphasis on sheer numbers of waves-they have left a little for you to discover on your own. This is mostly because they don't want to be responsible for crowding out the local surf spots, unless they are already well-known. Asking locals about some of the better spots NOT in this book is probably a good compromise (I would have liked to see what a recent New Zealand surf guide has done-they just say "'Spot X' 10/10 very near here -ask a local". That way, whether it is worth your while trying to find it is hinted at by the 10/10 mark-who wants to spend valuable time finding an ordinary wave?). But it also about general tourism development in a socially sensitive region of the world. 'Secret' surf spots in Central America can be a very touchy issue-surf tourism is booming in Central America, because from a world standpoint the waves are suprisingly good and consistent, (and surf tourism world-wide is also generally booming). Its not just about crowding of line-ups, parts of Central America are recovering from civil wars, poverty can be acute, pollution can be notorious, there is a lack of general tourism infrastructure in places (eg no ATMs, and no money changers), local social disputes are common, and some sensitivity and caution with regards to any tourism development is necessary, especially from an over-influx of heady and naive tourists. Some of the best waves are STILL relatively dangerous places to stay, but with a bit of common sense and planning, you SHOULD be fine. Check out the net for recent info and tips as well.
As for the waves, there are lots of world-class set-ups, some of the best aspects being the consistency, in season. You can find waves all on your own if you are lucky and adventourous, and even well-known spots still have their empty days, as I discovered. Seeing solid 12 feet+ faces perfectly roll-down supposedly more 'average' point breaks for 300m, with no wind and no-one out except me all day, was pretty memorable.
I have fond memories of surfing El Salvador, but there are many other places in Central America just opening up now-with really good, new waves still being discovered-especially in Panama and Nicaragua. If you want to go, this book is an excellent up-to-date companion. And one more thing, there is bugger all surf equipment in most places in Central America, be sure to bring your own- and spares.
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