In late January I traveled to Montanita, Ecuador to catch some NW swell. I flew from Lima on TACA ("take a chance") airlines, and got a cheap fare on pretty short notice. However they gouged me so much on the surfboard--$100 each way--that I might as well have shelled out for LAN. Dinged my tail, too.
Montanita is Ecuador's equivalent to Peru's Mancora, but greener, and with more of a rasta/hippie vibe. Lots of dreadheads selling hemp jewelry, all night DJ parties, international hook-up scene. I stayed a bit out of town at the north end of the beach by the point (a right which only breaks with some decent NW energy) at Casa del Sol, a mellow spot populated by California surfer types, good food, and rides to nearby breaks if you want.
The surf was fun (shoulder high with overhead sets), but the crowd not so much, a bunch of rippers in the water but two or three who spoiled the atmosphere for anybody remotely resembling a gringo...one of them was notorious, infamously called "the backside bully" (rides goofy on a right). I had a few run-ins, got my leash jerked, and steered clear during crowded afternoon sessions (30+ on the point). Some other non-Ecuadorian surfers (French, American...) were pretty shocked by the attitude and bummed about it their whole trip. It got to me a bit at first, but I was able to steal a few waves somehow, and then had fun on the beachbreak when it wasn't closing out...so all was good. Spent the rest of the time hanging with new friends, throwing back some chelitas, and enjoying the scenery.
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