New Wave Park in California, Record Score in Abu Dhabi
Hey Surf Snaps crew, what a week it's been! From the deserts of Abu Dhabi to the coast of California, the surf world is buzzing with stories that’ll have you waxing your board or dusting off your camera. First up, let's talk about the new wave machine rolling into El Segundo—a coastal town that’s about to get a serious upgrade. Forget battling crowds at El Segundo Beach Jetty; this place is getting a 2.2-acre lagoon holding 5 million gallons of water, courtesy of a $175 million project. City Councilman and surfer Drew Boyles put it best: 'El Segundo has been a mecca for surf culture since the 1950s, but frankly, the surf out front is consistently poor-to-fair and it’s, like, absolutely crowded.' This surf park, he reckons, will be as game-changing for surfing as Topgolf was for golf—lowering the barrier to entry in a controlled, safe vibe. Plus, imagine the photo ops for us photographers! As the LA Times reported, the vibe here is all about getting your own wave without the lineup drama. Talk about a game-changer—wait, scratch that. A *surfer-changer*.
Meanwhile, halfway across the world in Abu Dhabi, Edouard Delpero turned in a performance that had everyone reaching for the replay button. The WSL Longboard Tour veteran dropped a jaw-dropping 18.43 in the opening round of the Surf Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic, with two brilliant rides of 9.00 and 9.43. Yeah, you read that right—nearly perfect scores in the desert! Delpero, who’s been on the tour for ages, showed why he’s still the boss, outshining the current world No. 1. It’s the kind of human-interest story that reminds us why we love surfing: pure passion and skill, no matter where the waves break. You can see the heat breakdown on the WSL site, but trust us, it’s worth the click.
So whether you’re stoked about the new California surf park or dreaming of longboard perfection in Abu Dhabi, this week’s got something for every surfer and snapper. What’s got you fired up? Drop your thoughts below—we’re all ears.