BARRA DE LA CRUZ, MEXICO

If we were going to replace Brazil with another Latin American stop, Barra de la Cruz would be it. Making a brief but mind-blowing appearance in 2006 as one of the Rip Curl Pro Search venues, Rip Curl initially copped considerable criticism for exposing what many still considered a ‘secret’. But Huey didn’t give two (runny, Mex-style) shits! The right-hand point came storming out the gates and delivered a 3-day run of incredible swell with some of the longest and heaviest barrel rides in the history of the WCT. The event proving a true revelation to most, Rip Curl couldn’t have hoped for anything better to highlight their concept of “The Search”. The wave’s outstanding backdrop and supposed secrecy all helping to fuel the hype.

To add to that, the Rip Curl Pro Search Mexico remains etched in many people’s memories as the peak of Andy Iron’s illustrious career (for those who didn’t see the 3-time world champion’s win at Pipe in 2003).

Today, much has changed. With other big surf brands such as Quiksilver choosing to base ad campaigns around the location, Barra de la Cruz (and its surrounding right-hand points) is arguably Latin America’s most documented surf destination. That said, with Mexico’s reputation as still being a very chaotic country, where logistics always prove a nightmare, the probability of a brand putting in another bid for Mex any time soon is less than likely.