Surf World Roundup: From Desert Waves to Secret Sessions
Surf's been buzzing with some exciting developments this week, from cutting-edge wave pool technology to jaw-dropping sessions at secret spots. Let's dive into what's making waves in our community.
Desert Waves are here
California just got a new surf spot, and it's only about 100 miles from the ocean. Wavegarden is celebrating the opening of DSRT Surf in Coachella Valley, a tech-forward facility that can produce 1,000 waves per hour with over 60 world-class wave types.
This isn't your average surf park. One setting is specifically designed for training aerials, cranking out air-friendly ramp sections every 30 seconds. There's also a barrel wave called the 'Twister' that's reportedly so powerful and technical it 'completely blew [surfers] away,' according to early tester Jacob 'Zeke' Szekely.
While the exact public opening date hasn't been announced, sessions are expected to start at around $60 per hour, making it more accessible than some other California surf parks. You can read the full breakdown right here.
Jordy Smith scores 'Day of Days' at secret Durban spot
When a surfer of Jordy Smith's caliber calls a session the 'day of days,' it means the waves were absolutely firing. Smith, along with a crew including Chad Du Toit and James Ribbink, scored a supremely hollow day at a semi-secret spot in Durban, South Africa.
The wave reportedly features a lip 'thicker than a losing fighter's' and a spit powerful enough to test even the most seasoned surfers. It's the kind of session that reminds us why we fell in love with surfing in the first place – pure, uncut stoke at a spot that demands respect and rewards those willing to take the drop.
Maui windsurfers dominate Fiji
Maui's finest windsurfers are flying high after a dominating performance at the Fiji Surf Pro. Bernd Roediger took first place at Cloudbreak reef, calling it 'like a blessing' after wanting to win since the last Fiji event in 2023.
Morgan Noireaux backed him up with third place and the highest-scoring single wave of the event – a massive 9.5-pointer. The competition featured some of the biggest conditions seen on the tour this season, with waves hitting 13 feet and four windsurfing rigs destroyed. Despite competing with a strained ACL and taking more than a month off from windsurfing, Roediger still managed to claim victory.
These stories remind us that whether you're testing new wave technology in the desert, hunting secret spots in Durban, or charging massive waves in Fiji, the spirit of adventure keeps driving our community forward.
