Trip to Pacasmayo, Peru

[sav1]

I just returned from a 12 day trip to Pacasmayo and thought I would share my feedback for those considering a trip. I stayed at the event site of the AWT competition, El Farro, and it really is the only way to go due to security, ease of launch, and amenities. I researched other hotels that were $40/night but the difference in cost wasn't justified.

The surf pumped early in the trip and was 8-10 feet at the point and later was 4-6 ft. When the wave is 8 ft. or more you can take rides all the way from the lighthouse to El Farro which is .8 miles or about a 2:30 ride. I had several SUP and windsurfing rides all the way down the line...crazy as your hands get so tired you have to hook-in at some points. Its a wave that crumbles gradually with few hollow sections. It isn't a jumping location as you need to schlog out but can ride back powered in 10-12 knots. Bring a big board and a 5.0 as the locals overstate the wind probability. All the people visiting (from Chile, Germany, Australia) said they scored the longest waves of their lives. I flew LAN and was never charged for bags which saved me $400.

The wind is always side off so you can land stock aerials but 360s, etc. go out the back. I would highly recommend this trip if you want to score one of, if not the longest, lefts in the world.

[sav1]

Here are a couple photos...

[nw30]

Thanks for the post and great info, ever since the AWT, that place has been in my dreams. How was the food?

[sav1]

I didn't wake up on the toilet any morning with Montazuma's Revenge. El Farro has some classic Peruvian dishes. Meals can be had on the cheap in town if you're willing to risk it. I ate at a palace called Puerto Escondito one day and another in a small lake town 1:00 away with no issues. Ask about windsurfing the mountain lake nearby if there is no wind on the coast. Often times the lake is ripping when nothing else is working.