Photo: Benjamin Ginsberg

A few years ago, we mistakenly published that Chapina Poly Ralda was the first Central American to surf Jaws. We also published that it was Panamanian Ricardo Chiari, but in reality it was Roque Calderón from Nicaragua.

Calderón respectfully addressed DUKE to correct him, and in addition to apologizing, we asked the appropriate questions to help him explain his adventure that led him to surf the wave.

An adventure that was accompanied by several historical references that prove it. The reality is that in 2013 or 2014, Roque was already descending Jaws.

More details in the interview below.

When did you first surf Jaws?
Winter season 2013-2014

How did you get there?
Long story short, I moved to Maui, Hawaii, in 2008. I've always been interested in surfing big waves. I remember my wife at the time making me promise not to surf Waimea or Jaws (Peahi), but as soon as we divorced, in 2011 or 2012 (I can't remember exactly), I bought some big-wave surfboards. After training, back in 2013, that's when I decided to try big waves.

How many times have you surfed the waves?
I can't tell you exactly how many times I've surfed Jaws because, in each season, only a few times the wave breaks really well and other times it breaks chaotically.

I've surfed there every season since 2013. In 2018, I stopped going for work. I was the general manager of a surf school, so I had very little time for the position. I went back for the 2021/2022 season. I've been coaching some friends who always need help with paddling, timing, and equipment. I'm always willing to help anyone. I've even lent my boards, life jackets, or impact vests to those who want to surf at Jaws.

Do you think you're the first Central American in history to do so?
Yes, I'm the first Central American to surf at Jaws (Peahi). I'll explain why. Maui is a small island where everyone knows each other. The surfing community in Hawaii is small, and even smaller on Maui. In the lineup, everyone knows each other. I've always been interested in meeting people from Nicaragua or any other Central American country, not just to surf, but to exchange cultures, speak Spanish, and learn fun words or slang.

I'm still the only Nicaraguan surfer on the entire island of Maui. I've never heard of any Nicaraguans living and surfing in Hawaii. And I never see or hear anyone say, "Hey, this person is from Costa Rica or any other Central American country." Now, as far as the Jaws lineup goes, since I've been going there, I've never heard, seen, or met any Central American surfers. I'm still looking for that Central American friend to go surfing with.

How did you react when you saw an article in DUKE that didn't mention you? 
The way I found out was curious. It was my friend Manny Resano (a big wave legend). He saw the Facebook post, tagged me, and commented, “First up is Roque Calderón from Nicaragua.” This post was about two years ago, I think. I got carried away and said something like, “Yeah, I surfed there a long time ago, and I think I posted a picture or something.” It never occurred to me to look it up online. But now (currently) I’ve been working on my profile and new projects about surfing and E-foiling.