THE LONGEST WAVE IN THE WORLD IS HERE
Talking about the longest wave in the world is talking about Chicama, Peru. Chicama is a small town located on the north coast of Peru, specifically in the province of Ascope, region of La Libertad. Chicama is very famous for its natural landscapes, its desert and arid areas, and its archaeological remains of the Moche civilization. But let's not fool ourselves, if Chicama stands out for something it is for its wave, the longest wave in the world . Today we want you to discover everything about this infinite wave. Surely before you finish reading the post you've already gotten a plane ticket to Chicama!
PUERTO CHICAMA: THE SURFING MECCA
Puerto Chicama is the true paradise surfer. This beach is considered one of the ten best places on the planet to practice surfing. And we don't say it, giants like Lonely Planet or even NASA, among others, say it.
Puerto Chicama is one of those places that exudes charm. Through the streets of Puerto Chicama you can breathe that good vibes and surfer spirit, with its beautiful buildings, its special and delicious restaurants and that summer air that always accompanies you. But what has brought us to this article is its left, which leads the ranking of the longest waves on earth. If you haven't seen it, you can get an idea just by opening Google Maps, you'll be crazy. But why is it so long?
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WAVE
Can you imagine surfing a wave for 1 or 2 minutes? This left wave extends up to 2.2 km and measures 2.5 meters high . As you hear it: 2.2 km. It is not surprising that Chicama has been crowned as a place of worship among surf destinations. Every surfer dreams of riding its waves at least once in their life.
Its 2.2 km are divided into 5 sections, starting at “El Cabo” and reaching the pier. “El Cabo” is the favorite and most famous part of surfers, and is followed by four other sections: “Malpaso”, “Llaves”, “El Punto” and “El Hombre”. How is the wave? It is a fairly fast wave, which breaks on a sandy bottom and unless there is a lot of sea, it does not always form a tube. In general, the more you go in, the better the wave. During those 2 minutes it speeds up and slows down, depending on the section.
The wind in Chicama is fairly constant, but it needs a southerly wind and strong waves, so you can't always enjoy it. For this reason, the best time for a surfer's bath in Chicama is between Easter and winter, in September, since it is when there are strong storms and, therefore, the most fun waves are born.
THE SECRET OF THIS WAVE
We've researched everything about this wave and here are the answers to all your whys. If there is something that surprises us all, besides the length, it is the fact that so many waves go together, one after the other. All of them break perfectly, it seems as if a machine drew them. And do you know why? The surge is produced by storm systems and weather fronts that occur hundreds of kilometers away in the Pacific Ocean. As waves propagate, waves that are similar in length and speed are arranged and travel together. When the conditions are best, you can count up to 50+ wave lines reaching the shore.
THE LEGEND TELLS…
Like every magical place in the world, Chicama has its own legend. Legend has it that many, many years ago there was a wave so long that it could take you to the end of the world. When the pre-Incas disappeared, who supposedly were the first to surf (in “caballitos de totora”, boats similar to a surfboard), the whereabouts of this legendary wave disappeared with them. It would be in 1965 when the American surfer Chuck Shipman, during a plane flight was astonished to see such a spectacle of waves. He gave a team of surfers a couple of guides to help them find it, and finally, two years later, they found the Puerto de Chicama, a majestic place.
NEIGHBORING BEACHES
There is no doubt that Puerto Chicama is the temple of surfing in Peru and probably worldwide. However, it is not the only sandy area on the north coast of Peru where you can enjoy good surfing. If you are in Peru, there are several beaches that you cannot miss:
- MANCORA BEACH
Located in Piura, it is an ideal beach for surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing. In Máncora surfing is a religion and from children to the elderly spend the day in the waves. It stands out for its wave pointbreak, with frequent tubes and a not very aggressive sea that works well all year round. Perfect for all levels of surfing.
If you are just starting out in surfing, this beach is what you are looking for. It offers one of the best lefts in Peru, and also, it is a place where you can surf practically alone. What do you think? - CAPE BLANCO It is located in Talara and is one of the most popular beaches in the country. It is not for less: its tube waves are perfection and the landscape is dreamlike. Eye! We recommend it only for experienced surfers, since its reef-break style waves are not suitable for everyone. TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT Before you start surfing, there are several factors that you should take into account, and we are here to inform you: - WATER TEMPERATURE Something fundamental, the water temperature. The water is somewhat cold (17-22°C), due to the cool Humboldt currents. Therefore, the ideal is to bring a 2-3 mm neoprene suit. - CLIMATE The weather in Chicama is warm, with temperatures between 15 and 28°C. Still, very strong winds blow, so it doesn't hurt to bring a jacket. - DANGER Puerto Chicama is not a dangerous beach. However, although its bottom is sandy, there are rocks at the point and in the El hombre section. As for the entrance to the Port, the road that comes from the Panamericana Norte is somewhat dangerous. A CULTURAL JOURNEY Have you heard of the Moche Route? Not everyone who comes to Chicama comes with a surfboard. The Moche or Mochica culture of Ancient Peru spread between the 2nd and 7th centuries and many of the archaeological remains can be visited today. Chicama is one of the stops on the Moche Route, a tourist path that starts in Trujillo, runs through the most spectacular corners and ends in Lambayeque. If you travel to Peru, be sure to visit some of the places on this route. You will be able to explore Chan Chan, the Chicama Valley, the Cao museum… What do you think? Now that nothing escapes you about Chicama, you are surely looking forward to getting a plane ticket and exploring this surfer's paradise. Before saying goodbye, we want to recommend that you take your perfect travel ally, the sunglasses that will accompany you on this adventure. We propose Polar Tortoise model, which, in addition to being sweeping this season, thanks to its CAT polarized lenses .3 and UV400 protection will protect you from the chicamero sun. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS The longest wave in the world is in Puerto Chicama, Peru. Chicama is located on the north coast of Peru, specifically in the province of Ascope, region of La Libertad. The Chicama wave measures 2.2 kilometers in distance and about 2.5 meters in height. The Chicama wave is divided into 5 sections: El Cabo, Malpaso, Llaves, El Punto and El Hombre. The explanation for the length and shape of this wave is as follows. The surge is produced by storm systems and weather fronts that occur hundreds of kilometers away in the Pacific Ocean. As waves propagate, waves that are similar in length and speed are arranged and travel together. Chicama needs strong winds to function well and there are good waves. The best time of the year is between Easter and the winter months. The waters of Chicama are usually a bit cool (17-22°C) due to the ocean currents. Therefore, the ideal is to bring a neoprene suit of 2-3 mm. In 1965, on a plane trip, the North American surfer Chuck Shipman was stunned to see such a spectacle of waves. He gave a team of surfers a couple of guides to help them find it, and finally, two years later, they found the Puerto de Chicama, a majestic place.
