Chile
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in western South America. It is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica, stretching along a narrow strip of land between the Andes, Andes Mountains and the Paci ...
has many beaches for
surfing
Surfing is a surface water sport in which an individual, a surfer (or two in tandem surfing), uses a board to ride on the forward section, or face, of a moving wave of water, which usually carries the surfer towards the shore. Waves suita ...
, especially in the northern region where the weather conditions attract many surfers from all over the world.
Except for the winter months (July and August) surfing is possible all year. The water temperature ranges from .
Although the waves in central Chile are bigger, the waves in the north are stronger and are usually better suited for surfing.
The cold waters of central and southern Chile can be brutal to surf, therefore, surfers adventuring into those areas are strongly advised on using a protective
wetsuit
A wetsuit is a garment worn to provide thermal protection while wet. It is usually made of foamed neoprene, and is worn by surfers, divers, windsurfers, canoeists, and others engaged in water sports and other activities in or on the water. ...
to protect against the elements.
Some of the most popular surfing spots in Chile are:
Pichilemu
Located south west of Santiago, Pichilemu is the number one spot for surfing in Chile. The town is the host of the annual national championships. This location offers something for every kind of surfer. Beginners usually try to catch their first waves at the beaches of ''Las Terrazas'' or ''La Puntilla''. While more skilled usually hang out at Infiernillo, and only the most experienced surfers adventure into
Punta de Lobos where the waves can get up to 6 meters high.
Ritoque
Just north of Viña del Mar, Ritoque is one of Chile's most beautiful places for surfing. On the 13 kilometer long Ritoque beach waves can get as high as 7 meters.
Arica
Close by the city of Arica is the ''Playa
Gringo'', whereas the name tells many US
Americans
Americans are the Citizenship of the United States, citizens and United States nationality law, nationals of the United States, United States of America.; ; Law of the United States, U.S. federal law does not equate nationality with Race (hu ...
go to surf. Even though there are spots with rocks in the water, the qualification for the national championship takes place there. Waves can get up to 4 meters high.
Totoralillo
Totoralillo is located 12 km to the south of Coquimbo and 450 km at the north of Santiago. This Tahiti style beach, white sanded and clear water, offers all level surfers 6 different waves to enjoy: Derecharcha, Punta, Cabañas, Muro, Cacho and Pipe, right and left waves.
It counts with a surf school, and different cabins where to stay.
See also
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Sport in Chile
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Climate of Chile
Climate is the long-term weather pattern in a region, typically averaged over 30 years. More rigorously, it is the mean and Statistical dispersion, variability of Meteorology, meteorological variables over a time spanning from months to milli ...
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Tourism in Chile
References
Sport in Chile by sport
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