"Nazaré is a truly special place. I almost lost my life here but the place has helped shape my life as a big wave surfer and the surrounding community makes this place the most wonderful place on earth."
Biography
Born in Santiago de Chile in 1980 Rafael was always and connected to the ocean , a true waterman Rafael excels in many different disciplines in the ocean, he was the first Chilean to win 2 Pan-American Olimpic Medals in SUP Surfing and SUP Racing in Peru in 2012. He also has competed in the World Kitesurfing Tour, represented Chile in the ISA World SUP Games and Longboard division, pioneered wave foiling, among other wave related adventures; but his biggest passion lies in Big Wave Surfing; He holds the Chilean and Latin American Big Wave Record, with a wave that approached the 66 foot (20 meters) surfed here in Nazare, in 2015. He has been nominated -several times-in the WSL Big Wave Awards. Rafa is also a avid explorer finding to date, the biggest wave in South America with 59 foot (18 meters) in Punta Docas, Chile; and currently explores the Chilean coastline looking for the next discovery with a pioneer project: “End of The World Odyssey”. After Graduating from University in Chile and Australia and working in the corporate world, he now shares his life in Punta de Lobos, Nazaré and Kauai, places that are well recognized in the big wave community.
Board
Rafael Tapia
