Note submitted by Surf City El Salvador - Cover photo: Lucia in Punta Roca. By Josué Molina

Without planning it between them, when they found out that El Salvador opened its borders, Mimi Barona and Lucía Indurain practically ran to one of their favorite destinations. The historic opportunity to surf with few people in the water on several of the best right-hand waves on the planet was taken advantage of.

The former world vice-champion, Pan American silver medalist and former Latin champion and the former Argentine champion and top WSL Latin America player were blessed with several days of solid waves and very few people in the water.

For Indurain, this is already the best trip of his life, for Barona, all his trips to El Salvador are the best.

Below is an interview with both of them who made their way to El Salvador separately, but met at DUKE.

 

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A post shared by Dominic Barona (@mimi_barona) el 9's 2020 8 30: XNUMX PDT

What did you have to do logistically to go to El Salvador? What flights, quarantines and tests did you have to go through or undergo?
Lucy: I was already traveling outside of Argentina and to enter El Salvador I had to present a recent Covid-19 PCR test, the one with the nose swab. The flights were normal, the truth is that everything seems to be back to normal under the new protocols, obviously.

Mimi: Traveling to El Salvador is always worth it. Personally, it is one of my favorite places in the world. When I found out that the borders were open, I was delighted.

Right in Mexico, and while I was doing some research, I came across the news that a PCR test was required, which was one of the requirements that I found most difficult to obtain. But well, when you want it, you get everything, so with my PCR test I began my journey to the right-wing paradise. Of course, the trip there was quite tense because of the controls and all that at the airports.

What's wrong with you and the right wing? Did you leave Montañita and choose to go to the right wing paradise?!
Mimi: (Laughs) I left my home in Ecuador because I wanted to pick up new boards in California and see about my sponsorships. Taking advantage of the fact that the events were cancelled, I had more time to enjoy traveling.

The pandemic was fortunate because many beaches are deserted (laughs).

It must have felt good to leave the cold water of Argentina and be able to surf without a wetsuit.
Lucy: The truth is that it was the best thing, at the right time and a great way to make the most of this crazy year.

What is it that keeps you coming back to El Salvador?
Lucy: The perfect waves it has, I think it is a place where the waves make me feel very comfortable and happy.

Mimi: I have loved El Salvador since the first time I went, I have been coming here for approximately 11 years now and what I like most is that all the local people make me feel at home, everyone is super friendly, their food is delicious and their waves are incredible.

How did you find the country this time?
Lucy: Everything seems pretty normal, it's still beautiful as ever and its people are very warm despite everything that's happening in the world.

Mimi: The country is doing well, the truth is that they have known how to handle this whole pandemic, taking security measures whenever they left home, whether to go to supermarkets or restaurants.

And how have the waves been?
Lucy: The waves are incredible! And because of the pandemic, there is no one! One win every day. The truth is that it was the best decision to come, I rode Punta Roca perfectly and there were only three of us in the water, three!

Would you say that everything looks set to be the best trip of your life to El Salvador?
Lucy: Anyway, I will never ride these waves with empty points again, or at least not until the next pandemic (laughs).

Mimi: (Laughs) I don't know if it sounds like the best trip of my life, but it is one of the best. For me, every trip I make to El Salvador is incredible and I always take back beautiful memories of this place. All the moments I shared with my friends are the best part of every trip. In fact, I never want to leave (laughs).

Describe your best wave since you arrived:
Lucy: Obviously Punta Roca, and Las Flores as well, have been two places where I have won over myself like never before.

Mimi: I had a session with two other people in Punta Roca for three hours (laughs), with perfect waves, at that moment I couldn't believe it was real, so I surfed too much.

How is your journey going there?
Lucy: For now, I'll stay here for a while. And then I'll see if I go back home or return to Mexico a few weeks earlier.

Mimi: He is still doing well, thank God, enjoying and taking pleasure in everything in life.