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

Wave of the future
What’s in store for the Los Cabos surf scene?

SAN JOSE DEL CABO, Mexico (Fall 2006) — Alejandro Olea, Los Cabos’ leading surf entrepreneur, sheds some light on what’s to come.

Q: What’s the number one surf trend in Los Cabos right now?

Olea: There are two big things happening. The first is long boarding. Both young kids and expert surfers are riding long boards because it’s fun. You can catch any size of wave and you ride more waves in a shorter period of time.

The other big trend is that everybody wants to learn how to surf. It’s becoming a family sport. Moms and dads are looking for a hobby their families can do all together and surfing is ideal.

Q: What other trends are you seeing in Los Cabos?

Olea: People want to surf retro boards—retro means 70s and 80s-style boards. They want boards with twin fins—boards with two fins and four fins—because they’re faster and smaller. It’s all about the speed.

Secondly, more people are willing to learn. We’re seeing more people taking lessons and learning the right way to surf instead of trying on their own, buying a cheap board that might not work for them and trying and trying and just getting frustrated.

Finally, we’re seeing that there’s a future in surfing, especially in Mexico, because we have all types of waves to ride and not many people doing it. Surfing is becoming a part of the lifestyle in Mexico, especially in Cabo.

Q: What are the hottest trends in custom boards?

Olea: My clients ask for a board that will cover their needs depending on their level of experience, height and weight. They want a board that will make surfing easier and better for them. That’s the advantage of getting a custom board. Most of my clients are also asking for stronger boards that are also more lightweight, with less gloss and resin. That’s why the next big thing in surfboards is epoxy, which is stronger and lighter.

Q: Are you seeing any shifts in the types of surfers coming to Baja?

Olea: Today’s surfers are the kind of people who will invest in themselves and in the practice of surfing. Surfing is no longer a sport for people who are frustrated with the system or society. Surfing is becoming more elitist, in a way. Today’s surfers want to buy the best equipment in the market. They’re taking the sport seriously when it comes to their health, their body and their equipment.

Q: Where do you think the sport of surfing in Los Cabos will be in five years?

Olea: It’s going to become a part of the culture, like in Hawaii. The majority of the kids are going to surf and the parents and grandparents, too. They are going to have to learn how to surf if they want to understand them.

Q: How do you define the surf culture in Cabo?

Olea: It’s the feeling you get when you catch your first wave. I always say it’s the communion of man and nature. It starts with your mind and your heart and is carried out by your body. I would define it as the need to begin the day (in the water) or, after an intense day, to liberate that extra energy and recharge again.

For more information on surfing in Los Cabos, or to schedule an interview with Alejandro Olea, contact info@costa-azul.com.mx or dial 011-52 (624) 142-2771.

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