As Sydney prepares for 18 hours of daily surf sessions, those of us north of the equator look back with fondness at the easy season: boardshorts, bikinis, barbecues, and any excuse to jump in the water. With winter setting in, it felt like the right time to get nostalgic about a wave pool party deep in the Swiss Alps. More importantly, it was worth figuring out how the whole fête came together.
This year, during their traditional summer launch event, LSD — Longest Surf Days — Alaïa decided to try something a little different. Previous editions focused on performance and showmanship, but this time, the Swiss wave pool leaned into the absurd.
“I asked myself, ‘What are the true foundations of surfing — and, by extension, of a surf park?’” said Coco Colombo, Head of Surf Ops at Alaïa. “The answer was simple: having fun in the waves, no matter what craft you use.”
So they launched a pool party, opened the facility to the community, and gave everyone access to the waves for free, regardless of age or swimming ability.
“Think inflatable flamingos, DJs by the water, dancing mascots on paddleboards, and chilled drinks on the shore,” said Coco. “It might have looked like one of those crowded wave pools in China, but with better music, more space, and a touch of Basque magic, thanks to Wavegarden’s waves. Seeing hundreds of people floating and surfing with unicorns in the middle of a surf park? That felt truly special.”
Coco said that in just two days, Alaïa welcomed more than 1,000 guests around the pool, with 350 getting in the water during the party. Up to 150 were in the lagoon at once on one side. For context, the usual maximum number of surfers per side is 16.
“When you think about it, the ideal surf park experience mirrors what a kid naturally does at the beach,” said Coco. “They play in the waves, get on a bodyboard, and eventually learn to surf. So after splashing around, laughing, and discovering the feeling of a wave, what’s the next step? They (or their parents) will book a proper surf session in the park.”
With the solstice approaching fast, are you listening Sydneysiders?
