This Thursday, a group of Cuban surfers hit the beaches of western Havana to experience a rare natural spectacle they hadn't seen in years: the towering waves left in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The Cuban surfing community has expressed excitement over this phenomenon, seeing it as a unique chance to practice their sport under exceptional conditions.
Videos sent by the surfers to CiberCuba show breathtaking waves crashing along the Cuban coast, a rare sight in a country where surfing has grown in popularity despite challenges in accessing equipment and the lack of official recognition for the sport. Helene, which escalated into a Category 4 hurricane with extreme winds on Thursday night, impacted parts of Mexico's coast, western Cuba, and continues to batter Florida. As it moved northward, it left behind perfect surfing conditions.
Unprecedented Waves in Over Two Decades
Experts consulted by CiberCuba confirm that waves of this magnitude haven't been seen on the island in more than 20 years. These waves reached heights of up to two meters, forming perfect tubes.
"In Havana, we don't see consistent waves like in the eastern region of the country, which is more exposed to Atlantic Ocean swells. In the capital and the northwestern area, we mainly rely on swells generated by cold fronts and hurricanes," explained the consulted source.
The source noted that hurricanes "produce high-quality surfable waves because they are usually long, well-organized, well-formed, and accompanied by offshore winds (winds blowing from the land to the sea). In Havana, we often surf with onshore winds (winds blowing from the sea to the land), which disrupt the quality of the waves. Offshore winds allow hurricane-generated waves to reach the coast cleanly and perfectly for surfing."
The Cuban Surfing Scene
The Santa Fe Surf Club, based in Havana, celebrated its second anniversary in November 2023 with the goal of popularizing surfing among Cuban children. The club has faced various challenges, including a shortage of essential equipment due to high costs and a lack of support from the National Institute of Sports (INDER). This group, one of the most well-known in Cuba, has worked hard to raise visibility and promote surfing on the country's beaches.
In August 2019, a controversy erupted when Cuban sports commentator Reinier González claimed that surfing in Cuba and the Caribbean was nearly impossible due to the lack of giant waves. These statements were refuted by several Cuban surfers, who pointed out that there are beaches on the island, such as Santa Fe and Alamar, where surfing is feasible. Although surfing is not officially recognized in Cuba, the surfing community continues to advocate for its legalization.
In January 2024, the Santa Fe Surf Club received a donation of surfing equipment from friends of the club abroad. This gesture significantly contributed to the development of surfing in Cuba, where the lack of proper gear is one of the main obstacles to practicing the sport.
In May 2022, the documentary "Havana Libre" premiered, chronicling the struggle of young Cubans to legalize surfing in Cuba. Produced by Makewild Films, the movie highlights how the Cuban government has stigmatized and banned surfing, deeming it illegal on the island. Thanks to the perseverance of the community, surfing has gained recognition, especially after being included as an Olympic sport in Tokyo 2020.
Riding Helene's Waves
The ocean on Thursday afternoon provided a very special moment for surf enthusiasts in Havana, who seized every minute to be in the water on what they considered a "historic" day. The Cuban surfing community remains active and united despite the scarcity of wetsuits, boards, fins, wax, and other essential items for the sport. In recent years, they have received support from friends and international organizations to continue developing.
There is still a long way to go, but these surfers never miss an opportunity to take their boards out to the sea and enjoy events like the waves left by Hurricane Helene. Their passion and desire to grow within the world's most renowned extreme water sport remain strong.