Desert Barrels, Cloudbreak Glory & Cali Safety: This Week in Surf
What a week to be a wave rider. We have got a brand-new concrete playground opening in the desert, Maui's finest putting on a clinic at one of the heaviest reefs on the planet, and a very real reminder from California lifeguards that the ocean always makes the rules. Grab a coffee, pull up a chair, and let's dive into the stories shaping our lineup right now.
Surfing the Sand: Wavegarden Fires Up DSRT Surf
First up, California just got its second Wavegarden-powered facility, and it is sitting pretty in the Coachella Valley. That is right—perfect, peelable barrels roughly 100 miles from the actual ocean. As reported by The Inertia, DSRT Surf is officially online, marking the Spanish tech company's second US operation after Virginia Beach's Atlantic Park.
The specs are enough to make any photographer salivate. We are talking 1,000 waves per hour and a 'definitive catalogue of more than 60 world-class waves.' There is a specific setting for aerial training pumping out ramp sections every 30 seconds, and a beast called the 'Twister'—a powerful, wide, technical barrel. Jacob 'Zeke' Szekely, who got an early test run, called it 'the best wave pool in the world,' highlighting seven waves for turns, five for barrels, and around 12 variations for airs. John Luff, Co-Founder at Beach Street Holdings, added that the barrel is so long 'it actually gives you time to take a conscious breath in there.' Sessions are rumored to start as low as $60 an hour, which undercuts the competition significantly. No official public opening date yet—'late summer' is the window—but the booking platform should drop any day. For our photographer friends, this means consistent, predictable light and action. Start planning those shoots now.
Maui Windsurfers Rule the Reef at Cloudbreak
From manufactured perfection to raw, terrifying nature. The Fiji Surf Pro at Cloudbreak just wrapped, and the Maui contingent absolutely owned it. The Maui News detailed how Bernd Roediger claimed the top spot and Morgan Noireaux grabbed third in 13-foot surf that competitors called some of the most demanding conditions ever seen on tour.
Roediger's win is the stuff of legend. He took the title despite a strained ACL and not having windsurfed for over a month. 'It is like a blessing,' he said of the victory. Noireaux actually posted the highest single-wave score of the entire event—a 9.5—but inconsistent winds kept him off the top step. France's Antoine Martin slotted into second. On the women's side, Australia's Jane Seman dominated, winning all three finals to reclaim her 2022 Cloudbreak crown. The carnage was real: four rigs destroyed, one broken foot (Australia's Jaeger Stone), and a final scoreboard reading Roediger 18.07, Martin 15.76, Noireaux 14.46. World Windsurfing Tour Director Simeon Glasson summed it up: the event showcased the absolute best of the sport. For surf photographers, Cloudbreak remains the ultimate studio—heavy, hollow, and humbling.
Respect the Sneaker: California Lifeguards Sound the Alarm
Before you load the car for that dawn patrol, a crucial heads-up from the Central Coast. Channel 3000 reports that state lifeguards in Carmel are urging serious caution thanks to hazardous surf, sneaker waves, and strong rip currents expected over the coming days. The National Weather Service has warnings active.
Joe Stoffers, a state lifeguard, put it perfectly: 'People not understanding the conditions and understanding this is a wild place that plays by its own rules, you have to know what is going on and just be aware of your surroundings.' The advice is standard but vital: stay off the rocks, keep eyes on the groms, never turn your back on the water, and stick to guarded beaches. They have also rolled out free life jacket stations at various spots—a fantastic initiative. Whether you are shooting from the cliff or paddling out, check the forecast, talk to the guards on duty, and remember: no photo or wave is worth the risk. Stay safe out there, crew.
From desert barrels to Fijian reefs to coastal safety, the surf world keeps spinning. What caught your eye this week? Drop a comment below or tag us in your DSRT Surf session clips. We want to see them.
