Saturday 15 Feb 2025 Abu Dhabi UAE
Prayer Timing
Today's Edition
Today's Edition
Sports

Slater tests the waters for Surf Abu Dhabi

Slater tests the waters for Surf Abu Dhabi
20 Nov 2023 09:48

Abu Dhabi (Aletihad)

Surf Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest manmade surfing facility and the world’s longest ride in a wave pool, is approaching its unveiling date. The developers Mudon have not mentioned a specific date beyond that it will be in early 2024, but 11-time record World Surf League champion Kelly Slater and other surfers were spotted in town doing some test runs.

Slater’s firm, Kelly Slater Wave Company, is collaborating with Mudon on this, and it was natural that he rode the first-ever artificial wave produced at Surf Abu Dhabi at the Hudayriyat Island in the emirate.

“I’ve surfed hundreds of incredible waves across the world, and this wave in Abu Dhabi stacks up well against some of the best waves on earth,” Slater said. Kelly Slater unveiled his original wave pool concept in 2015 in Lemoore, Central California, called Surf Ranch. Since then, the test facility has only been open to World Surf League (WSL), private and corporate events.


The UAE project is the largest ever of its kind. “Surfing reaches people in all corners of the globe, but I am always surprised with who gravitates towards this world of ours,” added Slater.


“Actually, designing and building a wave in Abu Dhabi is something I’ve never believed would become a reality, but here it is.


“This will provide endless fun for so many people, creating an opportunity to surf an incredible wave in a special part of the world for both experienced and beginner surfers. This marks a new era in what’s possible in the surf world.”


Along with Slater at the exclusive behind-closed-doors event were champion surfers such as Caroline Marks, Filipe Toledo, Stephanie Gilmore, Gabriel Medina, and Ramzi Boukhiam, who all joined the artificial surf session. Surf Abu Dhabi will feature the world’s longest ride, largest barrel, and highest man-made wave.


Unlike the Surf Ranch, the Arabian Peninsula surf lagoon will be open to the general public. And the size of it with Modon’s Masterplan for the area dwarfs it all. There are plans for a Velodrome as well in the vicinity with “The preparations are near completion,” said Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, chairman of Modon Properties. “


Staging our first-ever test wave with Kelly Slater and legends of the sport is a testament to the progress we’ve made to bring this vision to reality.”


Spanning more than 51 million square metres, equivalent to 53.8% of Abu Dhabi Island, the project is a key contributor to achieving Abu Dhabi’s strategic vision by driving the city’s urban expansion. The project will also enrich the diversity of Abu Dhabi’s urban offering and provide a highly desirable living environment for residents and visitors, by following an evolving global model of sustainable living.


The masterplan will add 53.5 kilometers of coastline to the city’s landscape, including 16 kilometers of beaches, consolidating Abu Dhabi’s position as a world-class lifestyle destination connecting tourism, leisure, sport, and urban access.


Exciting destinations within the Al Hudayriyat Island project will also include Velodrome Abu Dhabi, Surf Abu Dhabi, a wide range of sport, commerce, and leisure amenities, the largest urban park in the Emirate, and a 220-kilometer-long network of cycle tracks.


Hudayriyat Island is already home to Bab Al Nojoum glamping resort, Marsana Beach, OCR Park, Trail X, Bike Park, 321 Sports, and other offerings. The Velodrome is planned for 2025 while a large urban park will build along in the masterplan.


Set to become the largest park in the emirate over the next 18 months, it will span more than 2.25 million square metres. The destination will feature a variety of areas, such as an elevated cycling track, an eco-tourism platform, and Mangrove Walk. It will also be home to an eco-farming space, food and beverage outlets, playgrounds, and events valley.

Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Copyrights reserved to Aletihad News Center © 2025