The waves that world-class surfers surfed at Surf Abu Dhabi’s exclusive maiden test ride on Hudayriyat Island left them speechless.
The facility, which is scheduled to open in early 2024, has played host to a number of well-known athletes, including American Kelly Slater, an 11-time World Surf League winner.
The world’s longest ride, largest barrel, and man-made wave facility are all part of this ground-breaking destination, which was developed by Modon Properties in partnership with the Kelly Slater Wave Company (KSWC), a leading global authority on man-made wave technology.
“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. I’ve drawn on that traveling surf education to design the wave at Surf Abu Dhabi,” Slater said.
Surf Abu Dhabi aims to encourage and serve surfers of all abilities, from novices to pros.
“This will provide endless fun to so many people, creating an opportunity to surf an incredible wave in a special part of the world for both experienced and beginning surfers. This marks a new era in what’s possible in the surf world,” the American surfer added.
Other world champions that tested the waves at the facility were Moroccan surfer Ramzi Boukhiam, American Caroline Marks, Brazilian Filipe Toledo, and Australian Stephanie Gilmore.
“A world-class wave in the UAE. Thank you for making us feel incredibly welcome and congratulations for bringing the project to life,” Gilmore said.
“This will provide endless fun to so many people, creating an opportunity to surf an incredible wave in a special part of the world for both experienced and beginning surfers. This marks a new era in what’s possible in the surf world,” the American surfer added.
Other world champion surfers who tested the waves at the facility were Moroccan surfer Ramzi Boukhiam, Brazilians Filipe Toledo and Gabriel Medina, Australian Stephanie Gilmore, and US Caroline Marks.
“A world-class wave in the UAE. Thank you for making us feel incredibly welcome and congratulations for bringing the project to life,” Gilmore said.
“As an Arab, I’m proud that Abu Dhabi has created the gateway to surfing in the Middle East,” Boukhiam said.
Toledo underlined: “Believe it or not, I found a wave in Surf Abu Dhabi. And it’s incredible.”
Praising Slater on his new project, Marks said: “Wow, congratulations on another incredible project.”
Jeff Fleeher, president of KSWC, noted: “As a global hub for tourism, sport, and business, with diverse peoples and cultures, Abu Dhabi is the perfect place for us to showcase KSWC’s unmatched wave technology and surf experience.”
The Modon Properties chairman and the Department of Finance chairman, Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, disclosed that Surf Abu Dhabi would be exposed to the public shortly.
“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.”
Bill O’Regan, CEO of Modon, added: “We can’t wait to welcome surfers of all skill levels to find their wave in Abu Dhabi, and benefit from the world-class technology and facilities available to them.”
