Aloha,
Surfing Swami's in San Diego just once has got me excited to get a few of my Alaias up here from Hawaii. I don't think I'd say that San Diego's waves are better or worse for alaias but there are a few benefits. First the waves are a lot rollier here. That can be good for surfing alaias because you don't have to worry as much about making drops on your take offs...something that's an obstacle on most every wave in Hawaii. Second, the waves in southern California (at some breaks anyway) are a bit longer and easier to just cruise on. Hawaii tends to be more bowly and fast. This is great once you're used to it but especially when learning how to ride an alaia, bowly and fast can mean difficult.
On the down side of rolly San Diego waves, they're a bit harder to catch. Surfing an alaia in San Diego is going to be tons of fun once you're up and riding on the right wave, but catching them may prove a little challenging.
I really enjoyed surfing my alaias back home in Hawaii at breaks like Pupukea, Turtle Bay, Chuns (some of the more mellow breaks on the north shore) and loved the power and speed behind the waves but it'll be interesting to see how these easier drops and rolly waves feel. Hawaii makes you extra picky on the waves you go for with an alaia. For one, the drops are typically steeper and therefore harder with an alaia. But even after you've made the drop Hawaiian waves remain more critical than San Diego's (in most but not all spots). In the end, surfing an alaia in Hawaii is rewarding when you get a good wave but probably a bit more challenging.
Not that this article is going to make you buy a plane ticket to Hawaii or San Diego to surf your alaia, but it may give you an idea of what to expect when you're riding your alaia in either place.
Either way, I'm anxious to get my alaias up to San Diego to try out the rolliness up here.
Mahalo,
| Jeremy Moncur Papa Kai makes Alaia surfboards on Oahu, Hawaii and San Diego California. We make boards for both ocean use and decor. Our decor customers are usually interested in decorating personal residences, hotel rooms, or vacation rentals. In addition, we help those who want to make their own boards through our "Shaping Your Own Alaia" manual. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_Moncur | |
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