Although few people are aware of this fact, it was in ancient Peru, and not in Polynesia or the South Sea Islands that the first evidence was found of men riding the waves with the help of external aids, as found on textiles and pottery dating back to pre-Hispanic civilizations.

This art, believed to date back at least 2 000 years in Peru, is still practiced by fishermen in northern fishing villages such as Huanchaco, Santa Rosa and Pimentel, where fishermen venture out onto the waves on totora reed rafts during their daily fishing trips.

The Maui surfboard made its debut on the Peruvian coast in 1 942. Since then, surfing has gathered enough fans as to become one of the most widely practiced sports around. The waves off the Peruvian coast are well-known all over the world and some of the best breakers -such as Punta Rocas south of Lima or Cabo Blanco to the north- are part of the surfing world championship circuit.

Peru has ideal beaches that will satisfy the most demanding surfer all year round: the central coast features constant waves during winter (April to September), while the north coast sees heavy seas (or "crecidas") between October and March. At the same time, as there are only 12 000 surfers in Peru, compared to 700 000 in Brazil for example, one can always find empty beaches and perfect waves in Peru. All surfers have to do, is choose their favorite point.

Recommendations

• Never surf alone.
• Keep beaches clean by taking your refuse with you, and do not disturb the marine wildlife that shares the sea with the visitors (dolphins, sea lions and seagulls).
• Check for the presence of undertowns as well as reefs and rocks on the sea bottom.
• In addition, remember that, depending on the area, in March or April (around Easter Week), tides tend to rise and the waves swell, increasing the risk.