A Dream Day at Kelly Slater’s Wave Pool

Photos by Myles Messinetti & Tom Hoy

December 11th felt like a gift wrapped and delivered straight from the surf gods. I had the rare opportunity to visit Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in Lemoore with Sauce Basics and JS Surfboards—on a private jet, no less—alongside some serious surfing talent. The excitement onboard was palpable. No matter how seasoned the crew, we all had that same jittery, grom-like energy. We knew this would be an unforgettable day.

We touched down into what can only be described as death fog and the unmistakable scent of cow manure—ah, the Central Valley. But none of that mattered. We were headed to the most talked-about wave pool on the planet.

This Isn’t Just a Pool

This place isn’t a pool—it’s a coliseum. A quiet arena with an energy all its own, where perfection is engineered and pressure is king. It felt almost unreal. And yet, it was.

From the moment you arrive, everything is dialed. Think five-star resort meets core surf mission. Heated everything—wood-burning fireplaces, gas-warmed chairs, cozy nooks with overhead heaters. Crucial when you’re gearing up to surf the icy December waters of Lemoore. Each surfer gets a personal locker, complete with Sunbum swag. Gourmet meals rival anything with a Michelin star, paired with mixologist-crafted drinks, and a staff as dialed-in as they are genuinely stoked to share this place with you. It’s first-class treatment layered over a core surf experience. And if you’re not used to that? Prepare to be floored.

The Wave: Fast, Unforgiving, Addictive

We rode only CT (Championship Tour) waves that day, and they were every bit as intense, fast, and flawless as rumored. That first wave of the morning rolled through like polished glass—cleaner than anything I’ve ever seen in the ocean. The temperature hovered at 51 degrees. The fog was thick. The tension? Electric. Everyone was quietly running mental heat strategies, hearts pounding.

Each surfer gets their moment. A perfect left. A perfect right. You surf, then you share. And the cycle continues. A jet ski trails behind. Cameras follow your every move. Music pulses from the tower. And the rest of the crew? Watching, cheering, dissecting every second. All eyes on you.

It’s the most pressure-packed, humbling, one-minute wave you’ll ever ride. Lightning fast. Unforgiving. The slightest hesitation or misstep, and it’s over. But if you make it to the barrel section—it’s yours. And that feeling? Every surfer knows exactly what I mean.

A Dream You Don’t Want to Wake From

Between heats, you warm up fireside, grab gourmet bites, swap stories, and surf until the sun disappears. Then it’s dinner, drinks, and endless replays of each wave—breaking it all down, already plotting how to get back. The experience doesn’t satisfy. It lingers. And you leave saying the same thing everyone says: “If I just had one more day here…”

This isn’t like the rest. It’s better. Longer. Faster. It delivers. It’s surfing perfection, bottled and rationed for the lucky—and the loaded.

The dream came true. Now, all I can think about is doing it again.

All other wave pools? I believe they’ll be left in the dust. Still waiting for proof I’m wrong.