Wavegarden's New Pool, Maui Windsurf Wins, & California Surf Safety Tips
The folks at Wavegarden just flipped the switch on their second U.S. wave pool, DSRT Surf, nestled in California's Coachella Valley. The facility can crank out 1,000 waves per hour and offers a catalogue of more than 60 world-class wave shapes, from aerial-training ramps to a barreling setting they call the 'Twister.' Jacob 'Zeke' Szekely told The Inertia that he never imagined he would be testing aerial waves in the middle of the desert, adding that the pool is the best wave pool in the world. You can read the full story right here
Shifting to the ocean, Maui windsurfers Bernd Roediger and Morgan Noireaux brought home hardware from the Fiji Surf Pro at Cloudbreak reef. Roediger clinched first place despite competing with a strained ACL and not having windsurfed for over a month, while Noireaux posted the event's highest single-wave score of 9.5 points. Roediger said, 'It's an incredible feeling. I've wanted to win here since the last Fiji event in 2023, but to actually win it is totally different. So many things have to go your way. It's like a blessing.' You can catch the details over at Maui News
Back on the California coast, lifeguards are urging beachgoers to stay alert as hazardous surf conditions loom. State lifeguards in Carmel warned of sneaker waves and strong rip currents, advising everyone to keep a close eye on children, never turn their backs to the ocean, and to visit beaches with lifeguard stations where free life jacket stations are now available. Joe Stoffers, a state lifeguard, reminded us that 'People not understanding the conditions and understanding this is a wild place that plays by its own rules, you have to know what's going on and just be aware of your surroundings.' For the full update, see the report here
Whether you're chasing the perfect barrel in a desert wave pool, dreaming of windsurf glory on distant reefs, or simply checking the flags before a dawn session, there's always something new to stoke your passion. Got a shot from your latest session or a tip for fellow surf photographers? Drop it in the comments and keep the stoke alive.
