A towering, glowering wave of consequence.
It’s the moment surfers have been waiting for
ever since Kelly Slater unveiled his manmade wave up in Lemoore,
California one decade ago. But doesn’t it seem like yesterday that
the world’s most decorated professional surfer stood in the tule
fog, laughing like a maniac as a perfect barrel stood up and reeled
with the push of a button?
Like satanic sorcery.
We’ve come a long way since then. Pools with different
technologies, creating different sorts of waves in Palm Springs,
Melbourne, Waco, Sydney, Bristol, Tenerife and Abu Dhabi. The last
very close to the petro-kingdom of Bahrain which just revealed the
moment surfers have been waiting for ever since Kelly Slater
unveiled his manmade wave up in Lemoore, California one decade
ago.
A towering, glowering wave of consequence called the “Club
Hawaii Experience.”
Per the press
release:
Bahrain is set to debut the Bahrain Surf Park – Club Hawaii
Experience, marking the first surf park in the MENA region to
utilize Spain’s advanced ‘Wavegarden Cove’ technology. Slated for
an early 2026 opening, the park will be situated on Bahrain’s
scenic sunset coast in the island’s southwest.
Paying homage to Hawaii as the birthplace of surfing,
Bahrain Surf Park aims to infuse Hawaiian culture and vibes into
its attractions and facilities. Leveraging the innovative
‘Wavegarden Cove’ technology, known for its minimal energy
consumption, the park will host up to 90 surfers simultaneously and
generate 1,000 waves per hour.
The surf park will offer over 140,000 surf sessions annually
through the Club Hawaii Surf Academy. This academy will provide
comprehensive training programs for all skill levels, from
beginners to seasoned professionals, with expert instructors
guiding and mentoring surfers.
etc.
Very exciting, but it was the accompanying photograph that sent
surfers into paroxysms of glee/fear. A well overhead right
mimicking the iconic waves found on Oahu’s North Shore.
Now, finally, surfers will be able to experience club Hawaii
without fear of slaps, accidentally dropping in on a local legend
or hitting the reef. Might the notable cowardly world champion
Filipe Toledo be able to book time in Bahrain and overcome his fear
of plus-sized waves?
Might there be a whole new generation of Khaleeji surfers ready
to wrangle Shipsterns, Cape Solander, The Right, etc.?
I’ve spent much time in the Middle East and, to be honest, have
a hard time imagining the gulf borne and bred wanting to experience
the terror of Club Hawaii.
Same with Pip Toledo, I suppose.
But for you?
Gulf Air tickets booked?
Com Turren?
