René Egli
René Egli
No other spot in the world is as closely associated with a name as Sotavento in the south of Fuerteventura. Sotavento is René Egli. Whether as the operator of one of the largest surf centres in the world, organiser and financier of one of the most famous World Cup events or owner of an entire chain of shops on the Canary Island, the Swiss is omnipresent - and has been for 25 years now. Time for a look back.
Around 21 years ago, my first business trip as a surf magazine newbie took me to the south of Fuerte. To Sotavento, to René Egli's centre. Even back then, the spot had a legendary reputation as a strong wind Eldorado, and the name René Egli was already firmly associated with the spot. René's employees had the greatest respect for the boss, even when he wasn't there. There was a persistent legend that the Swiss man once came back to the island unannounced from his holiday at home and watched his crew with binoculars from the hill above the surf station. You can download the interview with René Egli as a PDF.
