Big Surfer News: Cloud 9 Joins the 2026 WSL Tour, Kelly Slater Returns, and a Desert Wave Pool Opens
Word on the street is that the 2026 WSL Championship Tour just got a juicy new addition: the legendary Cloud 9 break in Siargao, Philippines, will host a full CT stop from October 31 to November 10. The Philippines Pro Presented by the Philippine Sports Commission has been bumped from a QS 6,000 event up to a coveted CT slot, giving the world’s best surfers a chance to chase world title points in one of the most iconic barrels on the planet. As the WSL CEO Ryan Crosby put it, this move “reflects both the quality of the wave and the strength of our partnership.” The event also features a reduced postseason field of 24 men and 16 women, plus wildcards from the Philippines Pro CT Trials, and a shift in the calendar that moves the Abu Dhabi and Portugal events around to keep the tour on track.
Meanwhile, the legend himself, Kelly Slater, is making a comeback. At 54, the 11‑time world champ will surf as a wildcard at the Tahiti Pro, giving him another crack at Teahupo’o—where he’s taken five titles and seven final appearances. After hip surgery and a mix of recent wildcards, Slater says he’s “really looking forward to getting myself locked in before August” and hopes for “great conditions in Tahiti to give us all a good challenge.” His return is as much about brand presence (Outerknown sponsorship) as it is about the sport, and it’s sure to draw extra cameras from the surf‑photography crowd.
And if you thought the action was limited to oceans, head north to Palm Desert, California. The brand‑new DSRT Surf lagoon—just a few hours from SoCal’s surf hubs—has just thrown its first “super session,” and the buzz is real. With Wavegarden technology pumping out up to 1,000 waves per hour, the park offers everything from beginner rollers to steep, high‑performance barrels and even air waves. Top surfers like Jacob “Zeke" Szekely, Rob Machado, and Griffin Colapinto took the first rides, and Szekely’s verdict was simple: “Best wave pool in the world.” The facility also includes a luxury hotel, villas, yoga spaces, and a whole vibe that could become a photographer’s dream shoot, especially with the desert sunshine and the contrast of an artificial wave oasis.
These three stories—one new CT stop, one iconic comeback, and one desert wave breakthrough—show just how fast the surf world is evolving. Whether you’re chasing barrels at Cloud 9, hoping to catch Slater’s final rides, or planning your next Instagram shoot at the Palm Desert lagoon, there’s never been a better time to be part of the action. You can get the full rundown on Cloud 9 right here, see Kelly Slater’s wildcard announcement over at The Inertia, and check out the desert wave park debut at AOL.com.
