Aruba’s placid and calm turquoise seas don’t exactly position Aruba as an obvious surfing destination. But don’t tell that to our island’s surfing community, with several generations of locals relentlessly waiting for just the right moment when the currents align to produce better sets of swells, allowing surfers to hitch much longer rides than the fast-breaking, choppy waves typical of the north coast area most of the year.
On a recent November morning, we tagged along with Chesly Tromp, a wine professional by day and local surfing enthusiast on weekends when the waves are calling. He picked up the sport when he was 15 years old, recalling that once he caught that first wave, he was hooked for life. “It was a surreal moment,” he shares, “and nothing else comes close to that feeling of connection with the sea…you are surrounded by nature in its purest form—it’s very therapeutic and soul cleansing.”
Surfing is one of the sports that invites rituals that begin before the board hits the water. It was dawn when we joined Chesly for a cup of coffee while he scanned the wave and wind forecasts, confirming what he and his surfing buddies had anticipated—it’s going to be one of those epic days where all the conditions fall in place to bring beautiful swells to Aruba’s north coast. His phone is going off with friends checking in and making plans as he packs his bag of essentials for a morning on the water.
The sun is rising over a wall of cactus by Chesly’s home as he loads his board, the anticipation also rising as we head in the direction of Boca Bayena, a lesser-known bay tucked away among the walls of limestone on the coast between the Bushiribana ruins and the Natural Bridge. Along the way we scoop up Jason Peterson, Chesly’s buddy on the water today.
Most of Aruba’s surf spots are for experienced surfers only, as the ride is often hard and fast, leaving no room for error or adjustments. Spots like Dos Playa, Wariruri, and Urirami require a shortboard because of the fast-breaking waves that would not be surfable with a slower moving longboard that doesn’t allow for those quick cuts needed for Aruba’s swift breaks.
Chesly and Jason spend a few minutes on shore, gauging the waves as their boards get painted in wax to assure good grip. Today the conditions are ideal at Boca Bayena, with sets of five to six waves forming just outside of the bay and offering a fairly long and exciting ride in. Leaving the world behind on shore, Chesly and Jason spend a solid three hours on the water, lost in this special space on earth that only those that ride the waves know. We say our goodbyes to the duo, only to see them grab their boards and head back to the sea as more friends arrive to take advantage of the waves and this special day in paradise.
Surfing is a great way to enjoy the island’s coast with low environmental impact, and it’s an integral part of Aruba’s unique beach culture. Chill beer, the Caribbean’s beach beer, salutes our wave warriors and their love and respect for Aruba’s sea and sand.