El Sunzal in El Salvador

[KeoniDominguez]

El Sunzal is perhaps the most consistent wave in all of Central America. It throws waves every week of the year, from 3 to 15 feet...But it is also the most crowded spot in El Salvador.

[Caribsurf]

looks like a really fun wave…

that's one of the longest surf paddles I have ever seen, is that to control the crowds?

[mrbig]

Great wave. Proned there several times in the past. Only drawback was hearing small arms fire at night. Rivermouth with cobblestone bottom. Chest to 16 feet (US not Hawaiian) easy fun fun fun!

We stayed in shacks with tin roofs and Maria cooked for us. Why it seems like just yesterday as opposed to decades!

[cnski]

Ooo ya Sunzal!! That wave is a blast. So crowded though. But it has a great channel for a super easy paddle out. You can sit super deep or way out on the shoulder. Some sets swing way wide too. Kind of reminds me of a softer Hanalei bay. Would love to SUP that wave. Great surf shop in town that did excellent and cheap repairs. Hospital de Tablas. It's probably only a matter of time until we see video of a local SUPer shredding Punta Roca.

[KeoniDominguez]

El Sunzal is indeed a softer Hanalei. The first time I tried a SUP was in Hanalei in 2004. And yes, in time the young kids are not only going to be shredding in SUPs Punta Roca, Las Flores, Punta Mango and K61

[sinrumbofijo]

Considering a mid-March trip to El Salvador. Have heard the crowds are tough, but that SUP'ing K59 and K61 is fantastic. Also read that week-days are much better than week-ends. Was told that Zonte now becomes crowded and Sunzal and Punta Roca always seem to have a pack. Would appreciate any and all advice re: these places (comparing K59 to K61) and if you have stayed at the K-Lodge with Walter Torres. Thanks

[KeoniDominguez]

I really like K-61 for SUP, was the first one to try a SUP there. Walter is a cool cat, and he is right for the most part. El Sunzal is super crowded by Salvadorean standards, 65 guys per session some times, but the locals for the most part just yell, no serious fighting. Punta Roca is sweet for SUP, but the locals are really going to get on your case if you do not know what you are doing.
The thing about K-61 is that on low tide it has too many rocks poping out, I only SUP there between mid and high tide.
Both K-59 and K-61 are next to each other, you can park in the same place. With a SUP you can do both places in the same session. K-59 is faster, but K-61 is a longer wave. At K-59 you are going to be hassling with shortboards. At K-61 the arm paddle is very demanding for shortboarders, and that is why K-61 is ideal for SUP.
K-61 maxes out at probably at 14 feet, but bigger than 10 feet you have to be an expert. I like it between 5 and 10 feet. If the swell is bigger than 10 feet, I prefer Sunzal instead of K-61....the crowds at El Sunzal thin out when it gets that big.

http://magicseaweed.com/photoLab/viewPhoto.php?photoId=316203&browseSession=6959db2128c05da276764fc40b5e168b

[mrbig]

Wow! Times have changed. Never saw more than 8-10 guys there back in the day. 65 intrepid surf warriors - unbelievable!!!

[sinrumbofijo]

A special thanks to Jorge Dominguez for reaching out to me with great information on El Salvador. Mil gracias, mi amigo! Te lo agradezco! Also, thanks about information on the rocks at low tide @ K61. Received a reply from Walter and am planning on staying at K-Lodge with he and his wife. He informed me that it is best to surf the weekdays. K59 is now a short-board haven but the paddle to K61 almost guarantees an empty break.

[Sup-position]

Looks Carvacious...

[SupSurfIsSurf]

A special thanks to Jorge Dominguez for reaching out to me with great information on El Salvador. Mil gracias, mi amigo! Te lo agradezco! Also, thanks about information on the rocks at low tide @ K61. Received a reply from Walter and am planning on staying at K-Lodge with he and his wife. He informed me that it is best to surf the weekdays. K59 is now a short-board haven but the paddle to K61 almost guarantees an empty break.

How'd the trip go?

I'm going to las Flores and Punta mango and bringing a couple sups I'm on some shorter sups and want to know where to surf.

My friends are short boarders and plan on surfing the two I mentioned.

Any tips greatly appreciated.


Thanks

[KeoniDominguez]

When it is smaller than 5 feet, Las Flores works so much better at low tide. If the tide is rising, Punta Mango is a better option. Toro de Oro can work on any tide, but if the tide is too low there are going to be lots of dangerous rocks popping out.