Tucked along Ecuador's vibrant Pacific coast lies Montañita—a lively surf town that feels like stepping back to Costa Rica in the late '90s, with bamboo bars, hammocks swaying in the breeze, piña coladas flowing, and a buzzing nightlife that draws crowds on weekends. But beyond the party vibe and thatched-roof restaurants, this spot has quietly become a dream destination for foiling enthusiasts. Year-round warm water (around 80°F), consistent Pacific swells from both north and south, soft reef breaks, and—crucially—no crowds or surfer competition make it an absolute playground for prone, tow, and wing foiling.
In this episode of The Foil Life Podcast, host Luc Moore chats with Robert Ross, the man behind Ecuador Foil and owner of the ME Hotel & Villas (Montañita Estates). Robert shares his epic journey from addicted LA surfer to building a life (and a family of five!) in this tropical chaos he calls home.
Manhattan Beach to Montañita: Robert's Story
Robert's surf obsession started in Southern California, where he chased waves up and down the coast. Pre-internet adventures included a $1,000 VW bus road trip from Mexico through Nicaragua to Costa Rica around 2000–2002—back when Nicaragua was a total black hole with no maps beyond surf magazine orders. He fell hard for the region, making repeated trips to Peru and Ecuador starting in 2005–2007.
A lucky break came during the 2008 financial crisis: while working at Green Dot (pioneers of the prepaid debit card), the company IPO'd as others crashed, giving him the financial freedom to escape LA's high costs. By 2011, he chose Montañita over Nicaragua for its energy—"like Costa Rica in 1999"—and never looked back. He embraced the dirt roads, occasional power outages, and raw adventure, betting against friends who gave him 3–6 months to last. Fifteen years later, he's thriving.
He started with vacation rentals in 2012–2013 (pre-Airbnb boom), doubling the local supply from four to eight. Guests from Chile, Colombia, and Argentina demanded more service, leading to a reception, pools, restaurant, gym, and expansion into 15 condos and 15 hotel rooms on a stunning 2.5-acre mountainside overlooking town.
Why Ecuador is Foiling Heaven
Robert calls foiling his "passion project," and it's easy to see why. Ecuador's coast delivers machine-like consistency: offshore reefs that peel softly like a skate park (think Trestles vibes), beach breaks for tow boogie when small, and points accessible by boat. Water temps stay swimmable year-round, and glassy conditions dominate much of the year—wind is rare in Montañita's protected cove (5–7 knots max feels "windy").
Prone foiling: The "laboratory" reef is beginner-friendly—paddle out, catch whitewater pushes like longboarding, stand up, and carve endlessly. Advanced riders move outside for bigger, connectable waves (10–20+ waves per session).
Tow foiling: Boat access to hidden reefs means no competition; perfect for learning drops or ripping empty lines.
Winging: Head 2 hours north June–December for 14–18 knot thermal winds (same as northern Peru), side-on direction, and wave-friendly reefs—wing double overhead comfortably on a 5m with a 65L board.
No day off the water: Robert estimates 340 foiling days a year by mixing disciplines. Future plans include a massive right point as long as Chicama (south swell spot, boat access needed) that could redefine long rides here.
Lessons, Tours, and the Full Experience
Ecuador Foil caters to all levels, especially prone and tow. Local guide Mental (a top South American prone foiler) handles prone lessons—dropping into double overhead like surfing. Robert teaches tow from the boat. Sessions run $125/day including guide, transport, and 2–3 hours on hidden spots (tides are extreme—wrong tide = flat lake).
Rentals include Code foils (810x, etc.), Axis Surge 890, prone boards, and wings (up to larger sizes like 1030). For intermediates/advanced, wing tours explore the coast; combine with prone/tow by shuttling between spots. Boutique tours beat a la carte—full days (3–6 hours), airport pickups, and family-friendly stays at the hotel (condos with kitchens, pools, safe for kids). No all-inclusive food needed—town's seafood spots are steps away.
It's family paradise too: warm, green, tropical, with non-foiling options like island snorkeling, scuba, or Galápagos trips (just a short flight). Unlike some wave-focused spots (e.g., Chicama's remoteness), Montañita offers vibrant town life for partners and kids.
Safety? Clinics nearby, doctor house calls for minor issues, major hospitals 2 hours north.
The Verdict: Come Foil in Paradise
After foiling worldwide (Peru, Brazil, Philippines, Australia, California), Robert says he always misses home. Ecuador's uncrowded, warm, wave-rich coast—especially for wave lovers—stands out. Whether learning prone drops and pumping connections or chasing empty reefs by boat, it's freedom without the fight.
Ready to escape the cold and chase endless sessions? Hit up Ecuador Foil on Instagram (@ecuadorfoil) or WhatsApp (linked there) for tours, lessons, or custom trips. Check their YouTube for epic prone, tow, and wing footage. The hotel site is montanitaestates.com—perfect base for your foiling adventure.
Spots fill with the growing foiling crowd—don't wait. Ecuador's calling. See you on the water in Montañita! 🌴🏄♂️⚡ Tune into the full episode. Watch on Youtube or listen on Spotify, Apple and more.