Party-loving Puerto Ricans, or Boricuas, are regularly voted the world’s happiest people – and it’s not hard to see why
Puerto Rico’s coastline. Picture: Discover Puerto Rico
‘If you’re not comfortable, then we can stop.” This is the second time that my instructor, Ramse Morales, has reassured me that I don’t have to continue with our surfing lesson. When we first met on Domes Beach outside the Puerto Rican town of Rincón — known locally as the Hawaii of the Caribbean — I explained where I was from, but thanks to my thick brogue, he’d confused Ireland with Iceland. (“Think U2, not Bjork,” I joked.) Now, however, there’s no mistaking the panic etched across my face — undoubtedly clear in every language.
Equipped with years of experience and a slew of prizes, patient Ramse continues describing the safety precautions. Not that I hear a word — my mind is too preoccupied listing the many reasons why surfing these spirited waves is ill-advised. I’d injured my foot before venturing here, for instance. What if there are sharp-edged rocks on the sea floor — or worse, creatures with sharp-edged teeth?