Albee Layer Leads Team Dakine To The Isle Of Enchantment
Maui-like wedges await.
It is commonly declared (but only by east coast surfers) that Puerto Rico is the Hawaii of the Atlantic.
In these surfers’ defense, the places do share certain similarities: they’re both islands, the water is relatively warm year-round, and the locals speak a strange, foreign tongue.
Also, and this is perhaps the biggest similarity of them all, tradewinds in both places blow forcefully from the East-northeast, turning waves on the westward sides into smooth, blue perfection while the north and eastern quadrants are heavily wind-affected.
If we were to be specific, the best Hawaiian comparison to Puerto Rico would be the island of Maui, whose north-facing coast (think Ho’okipa, Jaws) steadily produces a sideshore stream, whereas west-facing breaks (Honolua) are constantly offshore.
Depending on a surfer’s personal interests, (s)he may choose to hit Jaws for a thrill, Ho’okipa for some spins, or Honolua for the tube. In Puerto Rico it’s more of the same, with timid surfers opting for Rincon’s groomed walls and those more tube-and-air inclined heading to heavier reefs in Aguadilla.
While no truly frightening surf ever arrived on this Dakine team trip, the boys did find some barrels and ramps at the same wave that saw Kelly Slater win his 10th World Title, which also happens to boast some Maui-style trades. Hit the triangle to see how Albee Layer, Leif Engstrom, Dege O’Connell and more dealt with the breeze.
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