From Bangladesh to Maui: Surf News and a New California Pool
Bangladesh Surfers Chase Waves at Asian Games
In a corner of the world where cricket dominates, a group of surfers in Bangladesh is carving out a wave of change. Mohammad Mannan and 16-year-old Fatima Akhter are betting big on surfing’s future as they prepare for the Asian Games in Japan. Their base? Cox’s Bazar, one of the world’s longest beaches, where the sport is slowly gaining ground despite societal hurdles. Akhter, who rides waves to escape stigma, says, 'The moment I step onto the board, I forget everything else.' Mannan, once a seashell seller, now studies John John Florence on YouTube to refine his technique. Their story is a reminder that passion can thrive anywhere, even in the unlikeliest of places. You can read the full story here.
Maui Windsurfers Conquer Fiji’s Fiery Reef
Maui’s windsurfing elite didn’t just ride waves—they conquered them. At the Fiji Surf Pro, Bernd Roediger claimed first place despite a strained ACL and a month-long layoff, while Morgan Noireaux scored the event’s highest single-wave mark (9.5) before settling for third. The competition at Cloudbreak reef was brutal: 13-foot swells, destroyed rigs, and one broken foot. Roediger called it a ‘blessing,’ and Noireaux’s aerials proved that Maui’s winds shape more than just surfers. The full breakdown is available over at Maui News.
Wavegarden’s Desert Revolution in California
California’s Coachella Valley is now home to a liquid playground: DSRT Surf, Wavegarden’s second U.S. wave pool. The facility promises 1,000 waves per hour and 60+ wave types, including a barrel so long riders can ‘take a conscious breath’ inside. Pro surfer Jacob ‘Zeke’ Szekely called it ‘the best wave pool in the world,’ praising its aerial-training waves and technical barrels. Sessions start at $60, undercutting competitors like Palm Springs Surf Club. While a public opening date remains hush-hush, the desert is officially wet. Details from The Inertia have us counting the minutes.
