When it was announced that Kelly Slater was working on a wave pool in a secret spot. It didn’t take long for digital sleuths to find out that Lemoore, California was where it was located.
Not long after digital sleuths announced it (December 2015), I was at the location with several reporters for surfing publications trying to find out if there was any truth about this wave pool.
But not long after we went there, the whole location was gated. Not long after, we started hearing great things from other surfers about the location.
And here we are in May 2018 and there is a surfing competition with the world’s top surfers in Lemoore, California for the WSL Founders’ Cup of Surfing. Unreal.
And this is not your standard wave pool, it’s a specialty wave system which can produce 50 types of waves with a push of a button.
And one can thank engineers and scientists along with Kelly Slater to create a specially-designed, 100-ton hydrofoil that produces six foot-waves that last for a minute through a 700-yard track.
The World Surf League, owned by billionaire Dirk Ziff, bought Slater’s company two years ago for an undisclosed amount but considering this is the first prototype, it’s safe to assume that Slater is doing just fine!
And the event is sold out with 5,000 people in attendance.
So far, a lot of pro surfers and celebrities have said nothing but positive about the waves produced at the Surf Ranch.
I do have a few things to let people know who plan to come for Day 2 tomorrow:
- Go early if you want a better position.
- To get to the location, you must go to West Hills College, park there (for FREE) and buses travel back and forth from the venue. This was well-planned and is convenient. But there are people living across the street or nearby the Surf Ranch who are charging $30 for parking. But there are not many parking at these homes. Just go to West Hills College, it’s more convenient.
- Because there are not many food trucks and the event is taking place in a remote area of Lemoore, there are no shops, convenience stores, bars within close walking distance. You can’t bring food and drinks inside, so my recommendation is that if you are hungry and need something to drink, take the bus back to the college. Drive to 18th Avenue where most of the fast food restaurants, grocery stores are located. You’ll find a Save Mart, Taco Bell, McDonalds, Jack in the Box, Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken nearby. Also, while driving through 18th, you will see the numerous gas stations.
- If you live nearby, bring a cooler, fill it with ice, food and beverages. So, you can take the bus (which will take five minutes) back to the college and eat/drink at the college. You’ll see people doing it, to quickly get refreshed and then back to the bus and heading back to the event.
- You can bring lawn chairs, towels, blankets and such. It’s 90 degrees, so bring sunblock. Also, bring a hat.
As for nightlife, you can head to the Tachi Palace just a few minutes away if you gamble or just want to eat at a restaurant nearby.
Want to watch a movie, head to downtown Lemoore (go on 18th avenue and head towards the city and when you arrive at D St., go left) and watch a movie.
Otherwise, Hanford which is 8 minutes away from car via HWY198 going East has many more restaurants than Lemoore. And even more in Fresno which is 40 minutes away going 41 North.
For those wanting to watch the event, you can watch it live here.
Next surfing competition in Lemoore:
2018 World Surf League (WSL) Men’s Championship Tour
2018 World Surf League (WSL) Women’s Championship Tour
Surf Ranch Lemoore, California/USA. September 5 – 9, 2018
