California Just Got a New Wave Pool, and Summer Surf Is Wild
Summer just got a serious new upgrade for surf fans. Wavegarden is celebrating the opening of its second U.S. wave pool at DSRT Surf in Coachella Valley, bringing the surf closer to the desert. The pool can pump out 1,000 waves an hour and lists more than 60 world-class waves, including a barrel called the Twister and aerial-friendly ramps. Sessions were expected to start around $60 an hour, which is a far cry from the roughly $100 sessions at Palm Springs Surf Club. Jacob 'Zeke' Szekely called it the best wave pool in the world, and honestly, after reading that barrel description, we are listening. You can read the full wave pool story over at The Inertia.
But the ocean is still the main character. California lifeguards are warning beachgoers about hazardous surf, including sneaker waves and strong rip currents, and they have announced free life jacket stations. State lifeguards in Carmel are urging caution, saying conditions are wild and people need to know what is going on. They recommend staying off rocks, keeping a close eye on kids, and never turning your back to the ocean. If you are near the water, talk to lifeguards. It could save your summer. The full safety update is over at Channel 3000.
For a less intense way to cool off, Southern Oregon and Northern California have plenty of options. Lake days, river floats, and Pacific swells all made the list from Jefferson Public Radio. Nicole Larsen is a lake girl, while river guide Alyssa Winkelman likes moving water, and Richie G prefers the Pacific. Lake Siskiyou, Lost Creek Lake, and others got shoutouts.
So whether you are chasing pool waves in the desert or trying to outsmart the summer swell, remember safety, respect the ocean, and keep your eyes on the set. Have a good session, and tag your clips so we can live vicariously.
