Coastal Guardians: Ramon Navarro

Coastal Guardians shares stories of men and women around the world known for a particular surf break — and their passions to protect it for future wave riders.

Thermal: I know you live near Punta de Lobos, but what does that wave mean to you?

Ramon Navarro: Punta de Lobos, for me, is everything. I was born here, and my whole family—my grandpa and grandma, too—used to live here as fishermen. My dad continued to live the same way. Then I realized I was living here among many amazing waves. I began surfing and I understood how good Punta de Lobos was. When I left for the first time and went to Hawaii in the late 90s, I really realized how good the waves are here and how empty they used to be in those years. So, for me, Punta de Lobos is my home. At the same time, it is a place I want to take care of because it gave me the most amazing experiences in the water, and out of the water. And, because this place is my home—I always try to protect it.

Awesome. To you, what does it mean to be a good protector of a break, or of a whole coastline?

I don't think it's one recipe. Every place needs a different kind of protection. But for me, it's at least keeping this place the same way it always has been. Not over-developing it. I have the chance to live and surf and enjoy Punta de Lobos, so it’s about trying to leave this place the same way for my son and the next generation. That has been the core for me. I think it’s selfish if you just surf the wave but then never protect it, or want to leave it n the same way for the next generation. For me, it's trying to payback the ocean for what the ocean has given me.

Fair ‘nuff. You were featured in a film called The Fisherman's Son…was that what this sentiment is about?

Yeah, the film was basically about protecting Punta de Lobos. There was a point during those years when people were trying to build a lot and we got close to losing it. Suddenly, it was like: We have to do something and fast. That's why we were pushing really hard with Patagonia and the whole team. The movie came out, there were fundraisers, we made a foundation, an NGO, and the goal was to protect Punta de Lobos forever. It’s the main goal of my whole career, really.

Right. And Punta de Lobos is now a “World Surfing Reserve,” yeah? What does that mean?

Yes, Save The Waves designated it so. But I think it was a mix of things. We’ve been trying to protect Punta de Lobos for years, in so many ways. Basically, trying to implement layers of protection. So, now authorities and lawyers and mayors of Chile understand how important it is to take care of this wave. How important it is, for the local community, the economy, tourists, and everything. So, Save The Waves came out with this idea—a World Surfing Reserve. But, at the end of the day, it's just one name. Legally, it's not going to give you ultimate, bulletproof protection. But it definitely has helped, because more people in Chile are aware. So, getting labeled as a World Surfing Reserve adds one of those layers.

Amazing, man. What would be your advice to visiting surfers that come to Punta de Lobos?

I mean, always when I travel, and when I see people travel, I always want to see respect for local people and for the culture. Not just to come here and surf, catch every wave, and go back home. It’s about trying to understand where you are, respecting the local traditions, getting to know the people, the different places. I mean, if you travel for a couple weeks, you are going to have some days with no good waves. So, go around, visit the people, understand the place. Try to give the best for a community, too. Try to always be gentle and environmentally friendly with the place.

Great advice. When you talk about experiencing the local culture or learning about a place beyond the wave, what a couple things, specifically?

I mean, it's beautiful landscapes around here. There are amazing wineries in this area. You can find amazing restaurants, and a lot of authentic Chilean culture. Hang out with the fishermen, you know? Chile is also a narrow country, so you can surf in the morning and you can be in the snow in the afternoon, in wintertime. There’s just so much to experience here.

What do you love most about your home?

In ways, it's pretty untouched. Still pretty virgin, especially in the south of Chile. I also believe people are pretty environmentally minded here, too. People want to take care of their places here. Unlike, maybe, a place like L.A., in Chile, there are a lot of places you can still help to protect. We’re not quite a “green economy” yet, but the authorities and government here is understanding more and more how special a place like Punta de Lobos is and the coastlines around it.

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