Bangladesh’s Games Debut, CA Wave Pool Opens, Maui Wins Fiji
Bangladesh is making waves on the international stage as its surfers gear up for the Asian Games in Japan. Mohammad Mannan and 16‑year‑old Fatima Akhter, both from Cox's Bazar, are part of a squad that's bringing the sport to a cricket‑obsessed nation. "The moment I step onto the board, I forget everything else," Akhter said, speaking to AFP about the pressure and pride of representing their country. You can read more right here.
Meanwhile, the U.S. gets a new surf spot without the ocean breeze. Wavegarden just opened DSRT Surf in the Coachella Valley, its second American wave‑pool facility. The pool can generate 1,000 waves per hour and boasts over 60 world‑class wave types, including aerial‑ready ramps and barrel‑shaped twists. Jacob "Zeke" Szekely tested the new setup, calling it "the best wave pool in the world." Find the full scoop at The Inertia.
On the competition front, Maui’s windsurfers made a splash at the Fiji Surf Pro. Bernd Roediger took first place despite a strained ACL, while teammate Morgan Noireaux nailed a 9.5‑point ride to finish third. The event, held at Cloudbreak reef, also saw France’s Antoine Martin claim second and Guadeloupe’s Camille Juban fourth. Get the full rundown over at Maui News.
