Stanley Hernández is living proof that age is just a number when passion runs deep. For more than half a century, he has dedicated his life to surfing the waves of El Salvador, becoming one of the country’s most respected and legendary surfers.
Stanley began surfing in 1974, at a time when surfing was still largely unknown in El Salvador. He started riding waves in the El Tunco area, long before it became an international surf destination. Back then, the true value of El Salvador’s waves was understood only by local surfers and a small number of foreign surfers who visited the country and could compare its waves with those around the world.
Over the years, Stanley built his experience not only through countless hours in the ocean, but also through competition. He surfed alongside athletes from countries such as Uruguay, Argentina, Portugal, and the United States, and was part of El Salvador’s national surfing team.
His achievements include podium finishes in national championships, further cementing his legacy in the sport.
Now in his seventies, Stanley continues to surf with the same respect for the ocean that defined his early years. For him, the sea is a place where age, status, and background disappear. In the water, everyone is equal — whether it’s an eight-year-old catching the perfect wave or a veteran surfer with decades of experience.
His journey has not been without sacrifice. Over the years, the ocean has tested him physically as well. A surfboard once struck his ear, perforating his eardrum and forcing him to surf with an earplug ever since.
On another occasion, after falling off a wave, his board came back and hit him, breaking three of his ribs. Despite these injuries, none were enough to keep him out of the water, only strengthening his respect for the sea and his commitment to surfing.
For Stanley Hernández, surfing is more than a sport. It is freedom, discipline, community, and gratitude. Above all, it is a lifelong connection to the ocean and to the exceptional waves of El Salvador — waves he has been riding for half a century, and counting.
As an extra note, in our post titled ‘Why El Salvador Has Become a Top Surf Destination’, we explain the reasons why the waves of El Salvador are so good and highly valued worldwide for surfing. That post was inspired by words spoken by Stanley Hernández himself and his extensive knowledge of the subject.
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