If you’ve ever wondered about Arctic Surf Blog using idealistic utopian mythification to paint the polar coasts as an unaccessible earthly paradise isolated from the outside world, you might be correct. That’s why this article is about Vancouver Island. The following is an honest dialogue about the place from local wave surfer Alex Haro. Alex is an adventurist who took a break from oil rigging and forest fire fighting to spend a few summer months warming in the lower latitudes of Southern California.

How would you compare/contrast Vancouver Island surf culture with Southern California surf culture?

There’s way more of a scene in SoCal.  Tight pants and flannel jackets are everywhere. Cousteau-style beanies grace the top of the hottest heads, and everyone seems to be making sure they’re talking to the right person.  People’s pockets are filled with names, and they drop them all over the place. I keep tripping over them.  But, that being said, it is pretty much the centre of the surfing universe, and this is where to come if you want to be involved in the industry. Vancouver Island definitely has its share of name droppers, but they’re all dropping two names: Devries or Bruhwiler.  Localism can get kind of bad there, too, but none of it is too serious.  There have been a few broken windows here and there, but mostly it’s just grumpy old dudes that hate the fact that the Island is slowly getting discovered.

What are some ways you’ve seen surfers handle cold temperatures on Vancouver Island?

As long as you have a decent 5/4/3 suit, you’ll be fine.  Boots and gloves help a lot if you plan on staying out more than 5 minutes.  I’ve never seen anyone with Vaseline on their face like the stories you hear from the east coast, but maybe it’s colder there.  Or maybe we have thicker skin.  Another good one is carrying a flask in your suit.  A bit of whiskey never hurt anyone, and it’s hilarious when you see someone tipping one while they’re sitting outside.

What is it like to surf there?

Lots of waves don’t have any noticeable trail into them; you need to know where they are. You sort of have to bushwack a little to get down to them.  I’ve got a couple of friends who found a wave last year and cut a trail down to it with chainsaws.  At the end of it is a 60 foot cliff to the water. Gnarly. We still haven’t surfed it, but we’re waiting for the right swell. If you go to the right place, you can find lots of perfect, shallow points, long paddles, huge trees, bears… it’s rugged and beautiful.  It’s rewarding.

Do you prefer surfing in remote cold water places?

Honestly, I can’t stand cold water.  It’s nice to do it for a couple of days, but if we have a swell filled winter, I’m pretty over it by the spring.  It does add an element of excitement, though.  Hiking in, crazy weather, it’s all part of the experience.  I love it when I’m not there, and I hate it when I am. I miss it until I go back. I’m in a constant conundrum where I’m trying to decide between cold and empty and warm and crowded.  I love warm water, but it always seems to be full of people.  Crowds suck.  So does cold water.  I want my own tropical island with a perfect right point right out front.  Is that so much to ask for?