California Wave Pool Opens as Maui Windsurfers Shine
Surf news arrived from three very different landscapes this week: desert concrete, reef-bottom Fiji and California's rocky shoreline. DSRT Surf is ready to put a serious wave machine in Coachella Valley, Maui's windsurfers made their mark at Cloudbreak, and lifeguards in Carmel are reminding everyone that the ocean does not negotiate. Buckle up; this week's surf round-up has waves, weather and at least one stern safety message.
DSRT Surf brings 1,000 waves an hour to the desert
Wavegarden is celebrating the opening of DSRT Surf in California's Coachella Valley, its second U.S. wave park after Atlantic Park in Virginia Beach. The facility sits roughly 100 miles from the Pacific, making it conveniently close to the real ocean while still delivering the dependable rhythm of a wave pool. The Inertia's opening report says DSRT Surf can generate up to 1,000 waves per hour and offers more than 60 different wave types.
It is not just a beginner-friendly concrete bathtub. One setting is designed for aerial practice, producing air-friendly ramp sections every 30 seconds. The park also features about seven turn-focused waves, five barrels and roughly 12 aerial variations, including the Twister, described as powerful, wide and technical. Jacob 'Zeke' Szekely said, 'I never imagined I would be testing aerial waves in the middle of the desert. Wavegarden has about seven incredible waves for turns, five for barrels, and around 12 variations for aerials. It's the best wave pool in the world.'
Co-founder John Luff said the barrels exceeded his expectations, noting that some are long enough to take a conscious breath. Maybe save that breath until you are safely out of the wave. A public opening date has not been announced, although late summer remains the target. Sessions are expected to start at $60 per hour. For photographers, repeatable conditions and varied wave shapes could mean more planned coverage, but good timing will still be essential.
Maui windsurfers turn Cloudbreak into a podium
Maui's Bernd Roediger and Morgan Noireaux brought home first and third place at the Fiji Surf Pro, competing in 13-foot surf at the legendary Cloudbreak reef. The conditions were described as some of the most demanding ever ridden in professional windsurfing. Four rigs were destroyed, and Australian competitor Jaeger Stone suffered a broken foot after a heavy wipeout.
Roediger won despite competing with a strained ACL and having not windsurfed for more than a month. He said the victory meant more than he expected: 'So many things have to go your way. It's like a blessing.'
Noireaux produced the event's highest-scoring individual wave, earning a 9.5, but inconsistent winds made it difficult to find a second scoring ride. Roediger finished the championship with 18.07 points, ahead of France's Antoine Martin on 15.76 and Noireaux on 14.46. The win marked Roediger's third major title of the season.
The women's competition was won by Australia's Jane Seman, who claimed all three finals and reclaimed the Cloudbreak title she first won in 2022. Sarah Kenyon finished second, while Maria Andrés of Spain took third. The complete event story is available from Maui News.
California surfers receive a serious safety check
While wave-pool builders and elite windsurfers push conditions to their limits, lifeguards in Carmel are urging beachgoers to slow down. State lifeguards are warning of sneaker waves and strong rip currents in the coming days, with the National Weather Service also highlighting dangerous coastal conditions.
The advice is straightforward: stay off wet rocks, never turn your back on the ocean, keep children close and visit beaches with lifeguard stations. Visitors should also speak with lifeguards before entering the water. Photographers should take the warning seriously too; no lens, drone or camera bag is worth getting caught by an unexpected wave.
The full safety update is available from Channel 3000.
Whether it is a desert wave pool, Cloudbreak's reef or Carmel's shoreline, one thing connects all three stories: conditions still call the shots. DSRT Surf may make waves more predictable, but the ocean remains wild. Before packing the board or camera bag, check the forecast, respect the locals and keep your eyes on the water.
