SurfWatch: What made you decide to add T'ai permanently to Chi and what does T'ai add to Chi?Sally LaSalle: It has always been the dream to add T'ai as a FULL sim next to Chi. T'ai was always envisaged as a residential surf sim. Chi has always been and will always be a Zen retreat island so residential opportunities on Chi have by design been very restricted. So now, people that enjoy the atmosphere of Chi have a place where they can live right next door with the same zen tropical atmosphere giving residents access to the awesome live music venue, SurfSide Hideaway, as well as the chill-out spots all around Chi. T'ai and Chi are both FULL sims, and this provides the opportunity to host many events including surf competitions with minimal lag and maximum performance.
SW: What are some events and activities on T'ai and on Chi?
SL: T'ai is home to SurfSide Hideaway, one of the oldest and best live music venues in Second Life (SL), and the launching place of many now famous live musicians in SL. Tai will be host to the 4th SLSA surf competition in May. This is an SL Surfing showcase event. Chi also has its famous short pipe and fluffy break. Nearly every top surfer in SL has cut their teeth on this historic break.
SW: Tell us any features you want people to know about both sims?
SL: T'ai and Ch'i both embody the spirit of Zen and embrace the ideas of energy that flows from all the elements of nature and also is embodied in the sport of surfing which brings the surfer in touch with the power and energy of nature. T'ai first welcomes you with one of SL's oldest continuous live music venues. Desirae Beaumont hosts SurfSide Hideaway with a brilliant selection of very talented live musicians playing a regular schedule of shows most days of the month. Sunsets frame the performance with beautiful colours and a warm natural open air atmosphere. An Asian style bath house sits close by, so you can bathe and enjoy the music too! As mentioned, T'ai has residential availability. There are 7 parcels, 6 of which are 1000 prim 4096 sqm tropical islets. These are beautifully landscaped and come ready with the choice of a couple of different exquisitely textured houses. (Residents are also to bring their own home too if it fits in with the theme). Landscaping is such that each island has a feel of privacy and cosiness from the neighbors , but with full views of the surf break and off-sim islets and seas.
Chi is well known for its many chill spots and many a relationship has begun and flourished there culminating in some beautiful weddings. Chi is home to many land and aquatic animals and our two resident Sea Eagles Seeker and Searcher. Chi' has one of the SL's very first hand built an textured Buddhist temples, a beautiful pagoda which is a lovely spot for events and weddings., The Buddha watches over Chi from the mountain opposite the spectacular water fall and ravine, and she/he welcomes you to rest and meditate in his/her palms affording a beautiful rotating view of the island. There are two undersea aquariums full of interesting and varied sea plants and animals and some luscious and unique tropical gardens growing many of Sally's unique interactive tropical trees and shrubs. There is also a sky based planetarium, another wonderful place to relax and meditate and enjoy views of our solar system and galaxy. Chi is also a wonderful place to learn to surf in SL. The break has beaches up either side so you can walk and hop in from any point. You can watch the surfing from some beautiful picnic spots or under the tri-Torri gate by the Taiko drums, or step up on the volcano and get another stunning 360 view of the island, and now look across to T'ai.
SW: Describe the wave types and length of run?
SL: T'ai has a huge 120m wide 200m long surf break, soon to be the first SL home of SSis brand new Sculpted Epic wave. This is also a fun surf break with some lovely beaches and BBQ area to enjoy some surfing with your mates. The surf break is just below the Surfside Hideaway venue. Ch'i has a tricky little pipe and fluffy break, that requires great surfboard control to stay in bounds, as has been said "if you can surf at Chi you can surf anywhere!" Ch'i was the host of the very first ever surf competition, the first ever shortboard comp, the first ever all fluffy comp and is an icon in the SL surfing world. Ch'i will host its 4th birthday later in the year as one of the oldest surf venues still remaining in SL.
SW: What makes these two sims so special?
SL: These sims are special as they embrace and extend the atmosphere originally created with Ch'i. It's sometimes difficult to put in to words the feeling you get walking around Ch'i but the atmosphere and feeling gives you a tangible sense of calm energy and relaxation and positive spirit. This has been the site where so many relationships have begun, and the extension now to T'ai provides the opportunity for people to find a little home of their own with that unique vibe.
SW: What shops are available there?
SL: T'ai is home to sharKbite and Perfect Waves. SharKbite is a very edgy surf, swim and casual fashion brand for both men and women. Desirae and myself purchased the brand from O'Neill Auer and Lala Recreant last year and have been busy refreshing the product line. The aim of sharKbite is to be original, high quality fun and sexy.Perfect Waves, will be the largest showcase of SSi surfboards and waves anywhere in SL. The aim is to have every surfboard brand shape and size ever made available and on display together with wave and accessory vendors, run by Desirae Beaumont, current SL Surfing Champion. Desirae brings her in-depth knowledge of SL surfing to the perfect waves outlet and can answer any questions about surfing, surfboard types and modifications you can think of.
Ch'i has a mall available for third party venues but is possibly most well known for Chi Flora, Sally's line of tropical trees and shrubs that provide unique interactivity such as falling edible fruit and custom poses for climbing, hugging and sitting by.
SL: The inspiration for design is always tricky as sometimes its purely subconscious, but I think we take a lot of cues from nature, both natural visual light phenomena like aurora's and rainbows and sometimes the raw energy of animals or the aestheticism of plants and flowers. These are packaged up in surprising ways, tho, and subscribers to the sharKbte news group and web site will be given sneaks peaks of new things on the drawing board. We pride ourselves in having beautifully matched seams and contoured clothing as is expected by discerning SL buyers these days. We have some totally original never seen in SL clothing ideas on the drawing board. These are so new, we have to keep them hush hush for the moment, but stay tuned!
Sharkbite will be reviving the mini comps of the past. We will be experimenting with a format again never seen before in SL so keep an eye out for that !! ;)
Read SurfWatch's first Surf Report on Chi from February 2008:
SURF REPORT: Chi, unique surf breaks with a touch of Zen
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