After seeing Volcom’s Psychic Migrations (2020) I was particularly intrigued by the spots where Ryan Burch is riding the self-shaped rainbow fish. Then I serendipitously met Jesse Faen in NY. Jesse owns the house where Ryan et. al. stayed while they were filming that part. I vowed that I’d one day rent his house from him and surf those spots. When Covid restrictions started lightening up in the fall of 2021 I started planning tons of travel. Most of it was spent going to Costa Rica to run retreats and plan things for the property with my brother, but I wanted to throw something else in the mix. April was ear marked because a long time client, Nelson Hume, had requested to do a trip in that time frame. I didn’t want to run a 4th retreat in CR, so I was like, “What about Chile Nels?” His response was overwhelmingly affirmative. I started looking into flights and WhatsApping Jesse about availability on the house. Allie Marsiello had also requested a trip in April, so I texted her next, “Chile?” Her response: “Yes! and Cheyne is jumping up and down saying, ‘Take me too!’” Everything was starting to green light. I mentioned the trip in one newsletter and our fifth trip member, Bonnie Stamper, got on board. I capped us at 5, since it was a new-to-me zone and I knew the waves were going to be a bit on the heavy side. We all booked our flights. I secured the house with Jesse. Then it took almost a full two months to clear all the Covid regulations for entry into Chile (there were a ton, but I think they’ve maybe chilled out a little now). We all arrived on April 15th. Nelson and Bonnie stayed until the 21st, and Allie, Cheyne, and I stayed until May 1. We surfed a bunch of different spots. A huge storm came just after Nelson and Bonnie left and changed all the sand around, so I’d say the best surf was the first half of the trip. We had one negative interaction with an American, but beyond that, it was all shakas and smiles and good times. No issues with the locals, who were just so friendly in the water and out. The waves were heavy and challenging for Allie, Bonnie, and Nelson, which I think was overall great for their surfing. It’s always good to push yourself! It was a huge pleasure going on a surf trip with Cheyne. Cheyne is our local ding repair guy here in Rockaway. He originally hails from Ventura, CA. He and I were tripping out on the Chile environment the whole time because it’s so much like home. Cheyne brought along his film camera and took some amazing shots that I’m going to share below with captions. He has his own website: www.cheynebluhm.com to see more of his excellent work from home and abroad.
Nelson with his 6’4” Barahona and me with my 6’6” Mencel.
One of the many, many lefts near Jesse’s.
Allie and Bonnie navigating “lanchas” on their way to surf the town beach in Curanipe.
Town beach inside sand bar.
Nels, all stoke after a great session in town.
Surfing Curanipe in the fog with the fishing boats landing is quite something. They have a tractor line up on the beach then they time the sets and plow through the lineup for a skid landing.
Daily catch. You could buy seafood directly off the boats after they landed.
The waves aren’t necessarily “perfect” in Chile, but they are powerful and fun.
Alain Wider lives 1km up the road from Jesse. He was our companion and guide for most of the trip. He is originally from Switzerland and has been living in Chile for the past 16 years. Excellent human being.
View from the deck at Jesse’s.
Coaching from the beach in clothing.
Coaching from the beach in a wetsuit. Gotta stay versatile!
Chile: the home of the medium size stray dog. They’re everywhere!
Signs of a scoring surf trip.
Allie, Alain, and me, family meal. Communal meals have to be the second best thing about going on surf trips.
Town beach double exposed at night.
Cheyne, by me, on his 6’2” Maurice Cole.