COORDINATES: 5º 12' S, 80º 38' W
BAGGAGE CLAIM: Lima, Peru
TRANSPORT: Hail a 'taxista'. You better know Spanish or at least have a hotel address. Otherwise, you are going to get ripped off harder than a grom on his first trip to Kuta.
ATTITUDE: Has anyone heard of Sofia Mulanovich? If you're a friend of Sof's then everyone is your friend. Surfing is huge in Peru thanks to their 2004 ASP World Champion - the whole country is surf mad! Surfing in Peru is seen as a ticket out of hard times by many youngsters and their stoke is infectious.
THE WAVE: Punta Rocas is one of Peru's most consistent waves. This place picks up swell from all directions and keeps the goofys and regulars happy with infinite possibilities.
PERKS: Stoked Latino fans. South America people are amongst the most hospitable in the world. People fall over themselves to welcome 'gringos' and you'll be dancing and partying with your new friends before you know it.
PERILS: The water - it's all about water from the bottle. Also, don't skimp on the Yellow Fever immunization.
APRES SURF: Sleep. After surfing these amazing waves all day that becomes the number one priority. That way, you can get up and do it all again the following day! If you have time, make a side trip to the Andes and visit a shaman - you could even put a curse on your opposition.
LOCAL LIBATION: Pisco Sours: think local brandy, lemon, egg white and draw the line at just two!
EAT AT: Everywhere is pretty epic!
CAFFEINATE AT: Again, everywhere is epic. No soy skinny decaf here, just "café con leche", straight up.
ASP WOMEN'S WORLD TOUR HISTORY: Reigning ASP Women's World Champ Stephanie Gilmore took down seven-time ASP Women's World Champ Layne Beachley with a buzzer-beater score to claim the first Mancora Peru Classic (2009 will the first year at Punta Rocas)
NOTABLE: The support of the Peru Government and Peru Surfing Federation. Oh, and did we mention Sofia Mulanovich? She is the Queen of Peru. No seriously, she is like the Mother Teresa of surfing.
PAST EVENT CHAMPIONS:
2008: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2007: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
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MOVISTAR PERU CLASSIC PRESENTED BY RIP CURL