In the photo by Patrick Perez, above: A clear example of what was said with Christopher Herold, who is in love with El Gringo, races him all year round and has no main sponsor. This photo was taken two days ago... He was huge. 

There is one important fact that draws attention to the surfers of the South American Pipeline, which is El Gringo.

While there are surfers who have made a career, obtained sponsorships and paid the bills by surfing Banzai Pipeline, or sliding at Teahupoo and also why not at the Mexican Pipe that is Zicatela, the same does not happen with the “chargers” of Arica.

It's interesting because no one hesitates to point out that El Gringo is more dangerous than Pipe, Teahupoo and Puerto, however, there is no one who can earn a living just by surfing there.

It also seems important to note that the other waves mentioned break seasonally, while the Chilean one does so all year round. That is to say, Banzai and Chopes will surf it, the most cracked and crazy and in bad conditions, 100 days a year. But El Gringo can be surfed every day, perhaps placing the giant seas and some exceptionally small day, it can be approximated 330 out of 365 days.

That said, most of the surfers on the wave are relatively unknown, or known for other events. And that's not to mention the bodyboarders who spend their lives there.

It is a clear and strange inconsistency. And of course it is not the only one in the world of surfing. And yes, it lives up to that saying that Arica is the Hawaii of the poor.

There are those who say that the experience is purer this way, without having to pay bills and risking your neck for the love of being there, without contracts involved.

But it wouldn't be a bad thing to see the talent, courage and effort required to dedicate a life related to that wave rewarded.