Strange Question

Hello all,

let me tell you first that I'm no surfer at all. Still, I have a weird question for you. What kind of equipment would one need to go surfing? The background: I'm a student of architecture and our assignement is to build something called Surfer's Paradise. The imaginary lot is somewhere north of San Francisco and among other things this paradise is supposed to contain a shop. It also should contain a school and a bar or café. Any suggestions of what you would want to find in such a place would be greatly appreciated.

1.) What items would you like to find in a surfer's shop at a beach?

2.) What does a surfschool look like? Do they provide equipment? What would that be? How much space would they need?

3.) What kind of gastronomy would you expect at a beach? Would you frequent it only during daytime or would you stay there and throw maybe wild parties at night, (provided it had the right flair)? Do you throw wild parties at all or are you early to bed to catch the first waves in the morning?

Please consider that I'm a student and this is no real project, so there's no money in it, in case some should think they get cheated if they tell and then get no compensation. You'd just help someone whose wildest sporting activity is Scottish Country Dancing and who lives miles away from the next ocean and many, many more miles from Northern California. ) Thanks in advance.

Ursula Noeker, Germany

Since I surf somewhere north of San Francisco and it is beginning to get cold, I would like a spa attached to this Surfer's Paradise with a hot tub, steam room and sauna (maybe massage.) The rest of AS can go to the wild parties. I'm staying in the jacuzzi.

Unlike Glenda, I'm not close to SF. North and east, but a whole lot more east than north. I did spend quite a bit of time working at a surf camp. So, given climate differences......

Wax, boards, accessories of all kinds. Wetsuits. Bear in mind that shoplifting is a large problem for surf shops, so display cases for anything small . And there are lots of small things sold in surf shops.

Typically, they rent boards ( storage needed for those) and wetsuits, but beyond that you take the victims -ah- 'students' to the water and let them loose. A small shed with an awning and a blackboard is about all that's necessary. A surfboard repair area also.

Depends on the waves, or lack thereof. Really, if the waves are small, the party factor goes up. Waves are big, you get some who drink pretty hard and some who won't at all.

Food- 3 meals a day, relatively simple and some vegetarian stuff. Large tables and a few small ones.

No worries - scottish country dancing?? That's pretty wild. As you know, bagpipes were considered a weapon, and for good reason.

Now, you want to consider some design constraints;

How many people is this supposed to hold at once? Large groups or individuals/small groups? This makes a difference in how you set up dining and housing.

Housing; dormitory style like a hostel or stand alone cottages/cabins with small kitchens and etc or a combination of both? Best if it's modular, that is you can start small and put up more housing and facilities as needed.

Staff housing- how many staff and do they live on-site or not? As housing in resort areas is usually expensive, might be best to have an employee housing area in order to keep the payroll reasonable. You will need

Surf instructors/guides Drivers or boatmen Bartenders Cooks Cleaning people Maintainance people

About one staffer per 2 or 3 guests isn't a bad ratio. The more guests, the more services that will be wanted but surfer labor is cheap.

How remote is this place? Do you need access via boat ( on an island, say ) or is it a place you can drive to? The more remote it is, the more services you will need to provide. This also affects how you get your supplies and what sort of storage you need.

Best not to put surfboard repair next to an open-air bar or cafe.

Board racks, wetsuit drying racks, outdoor showers.

A sauna, Jacuzzi or similar is a good idea. Add a masseuse to the staff.

Those with the money to visit such places often have kids - day care area?

Waves come and go, and during flat spells guests get unruly. Good idea to have a number of other things for them to do, fishing, diving, whatever.

well, that's enough to get you started....

Babes. Ya gotta have babes who can give massages to work out the cramps you get in cold water.

Sorry for the silly question, but what would a (?) shaper be?

Yeah, I get the drift, but then: Who am I to tell my professor stuff like this? <G> All that counts at the end of the semester is the fact that I passed (finally).

Ursula Noeker

Please forward a full-frontal photograph in your smallest bathing suit for posting to the alt-surfing hub. After we peruse your ass(ets), we will make the determination as to the scope and breadth of guidance we will be able to provide.

C.

someone who can make chochas out of rubber but just like real ones ... that would be nice ... and also Vanna White to sign autographs that would be nice, too ... and a couple cabrones up-front to valet park me toyota corolla 1.6L, manual, light blue, MUST SELL!!!

Uh, make that Vanna White 20 years ago.

Please forward a full-frontal photograph in your smallest bathing suit for posting to the alt-surfing hub. After we peruse your ass(ets), we will make the determination as to the scope and breadth of guidance we will be able to provide.

Uh, Corb my man. You're merging with your other profile. Lines are gettin' fuzzy. Distinctions blurred.

she is about as young as my Toyota

The jacuzzi IS where all the wild partys are Glenda ; )