For more information, contact:
Alejandro Olea at 011-52 (624) 142-2771
or info@costa-azul.com.mx

Blazing new waves
For Southern Baja surf lovers, there’s more in store than ever before

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, Mexico (Fall 2006) — At the oldest surf shop in town, tradition takes a back seat to innovation.

“We’ve been around longer than any other surf shop in Southern Baja, but we’ll only be happy as long as we are the best surf shop,” says Alejandro Olea, owner and founder of the Costa Azul Surf Shop, established in 1986 in Los Cabos, Mexico.

It all starts with a running stock of more than 250 signature design surfboards and the most well maintained collection of rental boards and equipment in all of Baja. Factor in the signature collection of Costa Azul t-shirts, board shorts, tank tops and ball caps, all designed by Olea himself, as well as a line of surf-ready women’s swimwear, men’s sandals, sunglasses and more. Two new locations, a new brand of surfboards, a passenger van, new surf packages and a junior wave rider team round out the current status of the Costa Azul Surf Shop in three words: first and best.

“We’re constantly evolving and coming up with new ways to be the best we can be,” Olea says.

In addition to the original Costa Azul Surf Shop in San José del Cabo, demand on the Pacific side led Olea to build a new surf stand on Los Cerritos Beach, and it will open for the winter surf season on November 1. Secondly, Costa Azul opened a new surf boutique in downtown Todos Santos. All three locations boat the widest variety of rental boards and equipment, the hottest apparel and the most cutting-edge board designs ever to hit the Baja.

And, after all, board designs are what Costa Azul does best. “I always wanted to design my own surfboards,” Olea said. “And now that I’ve been shaping and designing custom boards for more than 20 years, the only option is to keep exploring new territory and technology to make them even better.”

The new technology that’s redefining Olea Surf Company is the epoxy board, which is 50 percent lighter and stronger than Olea’s previous signature designs. The material allows him and his team of shapers to improve upon traditional retro boards, as well as expand the capabilities of modern boards, all the while maintaining the understated graphic style of the Olea Surf Company.

Technological exploration is also taking on a new shape at Costa Azul Surf Shop as Olea and his shapers create new curved boards designed for easy turning and entry into hollow waves.

And, now that he has a team of discerning test pilots, the Costa Azul Team Riders, he says his work is getting even better. “They ask me to perform on the products,” Olea says of the 10 local Mexican and American kids who are dedicated to surfing, clean beaches and a wholesome surf community. They take their sponsorship seriously, and when Olea asks for their opinion, they don’t hold back. “They tell me they want it lighter, thinner, narrower…They push me to the limits and make me a better shaper.”

As always, Olea signature and custom epoxy boards are available by special order, but now the Costa Azul Surf Shop is offering more options for customizing the design. You like long boards, but you want yours to be little lighter? You like the speed and maneuverability of short boards, but you’re 7 feet tall? Olea will customize the shape, length, width, thickness, style and material according to your wildest dreams.

And when it’s time to take your surf dreams on the road, Costa Azul Surf Shop’s new 12-passenger air-conditioned van trucks you, your friends and two boards per person wherever you want to go. Explore the East Cape’s secret spots or comb the Pacific for your ideal waves; and don’t leave anyone in your group at home. Costa Azul offers packages that include surf lessons for beginners while the veterans do their thing. Also on the docket are new Costa Azul Surf Packages, which will range from basic to luxurious.

“Our mission is to provide the best equipment and the best service to our clients,” Olea says. “And we are exploring new ways to take the surf experience to the next level.”

For more information on Costa Azul Surf Shop and Olea signature surfboards or to schedule an interview with Alejandro Olea, visit www.costa-azul.com.mx, call 011-52-624-142-2771 or email info@costa-azul.com.mx.

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