Kelly Slater is the greatest surfer ever lived. His dominance, mastery, and longevity have earned him eleven World Surf League championships, global adulation, and the reputation of undisputed king of surfing. In short, he knows a thing or two when it comes to surfing waves, which is why the Kelly Slater Wave Co. has been enlisted to create the centrepiece of Abu Dhabi’s new Hudayriyat IsIand, mega-project.
Developed by Modon Properties, Hudayriyat IsIand is all set to contain the world’s largest artificial surf park, with the entire development an estimated to cover a massive 19sq miles – about half the size of Abu Dhabi Island.
Central to the project is ‘Surf Abu Dhabi’ – which will become the world’s largest wave pool. Based off a replication of Kelly Slater’s patented ‘Surf Ranch’ wave pool in Central California, the surfing icon’s company has been recruited not only to develop the wave pool, but it will also boast the world’s longest ride and biggest wave barrel.
According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office: “Surf Abu Dhabi will provide an ideal location to host major international events and will play a major role in developing the surfing community locally, regionally, and globally,” which would suggest that Hudayriyat IsIand will be looking to host competitions in the new venue.
It’s been nearly a decade since Kelly Slater first unveiled his man-made Surf Ranch miracle to the world in 2015. After previous whispers of new comparable surf pools being developed in the US and Australia, it seems that the UAE got the drop in.