El Gringo’s Diary

In 1976, three Californian surfers, fed up with the crowds at their local beaches, took a van, turned it into a camper, and set off to Peru in search of untouched waves. However, fate led them to Chile, specifically the border city of Arica, where they discovered one of the country’s most perfect and challenging waves. Known for its danger, only the most experienced surfers could conquer it. By doing so, they overcame one of surfing’s greatest challenges: mastering “El Gringo.” The location was kept a secret, and its name became a myth within the surf community.

Thirty years later, in 2007, “El Gringo” gained worldwide fame when it hosted a world surfing championship. The mystery of the original surfers resurfaced: who were these Californians who found the wave? No one knew their identities, as they had faded into time… until now.

Thanks to social media and the tireless research of Chilean filmmaker Rodrigo Farías, in 2019, those surfers were located and their fascinating story was revived.