Waves at home? Let’s go. Photo: YouTube//Screenshot
California is an amazing place. It’s got a lot to offer, but if you’re going there thinking that one thing it offers is perfect, empty waves… well, you’re in for a rude awakening. Crowds are thick in California lineups, for the most part, and Koa Rothman knows this.
“We’ll probably be bouncing around from Newport, Orange County, up to Malibu and stuff, to see how many times we can get dropped in on,” he said the morning after landing at LAX from Mexico. “Or how many people can drop in on us.”
There are many so-called “localized” spots in California, but for the most part, even those localized spots are well-known. And on the back of two pretty epic trips — towing at maxed out Teahupo’o and step offs in Mexico — Koa and partner in crime Eli Olson were in for a bit of culture shock, wave-wise.
“This is the reality of surfing in California,” Koa said from the sand at Newport. “Actually, it looks pretty fun. It got a little more crowded, but it’ll be sick.”
After a quick session, though, plans changed. The forecast looked good for Hawaii, so they decided at the last minute (must be nice to be a pro surfer sometimes, huh?) to fly home in hopes of making it back for an upcoming Pipeline swell.
“It’s nice to have waves right now,” he said. “Winter is back. First swell of the season.”
It’s still early in that season, though, so the beach is… well, it’s sandy, to say the least. But as winter rolls on and the swell continues, things will only get better and better.
