Look, I’m not here to win the World Surf League CT title.
I’m here to bring visibility to a severely underrepresented group in the surf world: intermediate surfers who live in landlocked, snow-dusted mountain towns, flail like inflatable tube men, and still somehow believe that “one day” we’ll be barrel gods. Representation matters, and our people, the moderately mediocre, deserve waves too.
Enter: Alaïa Bay, Switzerland’s little miracle of wave-making wizardry nestled at the base of the Alps. If you’ve ever dreamed of barrels with a side of raclette, this place is for you.
I’ve recently moved to Central Switzerland, where the closest thing to surfing is a standing wave in a river during the snow-melt season.
Rolling up to Alaïa Bay is equal parts surreal and exciting. Surrounded by vineyards, snowcaps, and people who definitely know how to ride better than you. It’s basically an all inclusive resort for your ego, where the cafeteria serves up plentiful helpings of humble pie.
Surfing Without an Ocean — The Ultimate Inclusion
Everyone talks about “inclusion in surfing” in terms of race, gender, sexuality, which is great and necessary, but can we take a moment for those of us who are discriminated against purely by geography?
It’s not just a park. It’s a portal. A pipeline of possibility. A place where you can wipe out gloriously, then destroy a pizza while watching the next group repeat your mistakes. This might be the future of surf culture.
The Verdict
Alaïa Bay is an inclusive utopia, not just because they welcome all people and provide wave access to us hillbillies, but because it makes you believe (again) that surfing can be joyful, humbling, goofy, and deeply addictive, even 1,000 kilometers from saltwater. Whether you’re a grom, a pro, or just some guy with a GoPro and a dream (hi), this place has something for you.
Bring your ego, but don’t expect to leave with it.
By Max Emerson for Wave Pool Magazine. Check out other wave pool adventures from Max at the below links.
 – A Beginner’s Guide to Surfing Like You’re Kinda-Okay at Alaïa Bay){kind=link}