Where's the Left? What It's Like Surfing Kelly Slater's Abu Dhabi Wavepool, with WSL Announcer Strider Wasilewski
The deluge of footage from Surf Abu Dhabi, the World Surf League-owned, world’s-biggest, Kelly Slater Wave Co. powered wavepool in the UAE has begun.
It’s real. It’s actually real.
And while some may have been underwhelmed by the footage – which, so far features Kelly (of course), Stephanie Gilmore, and Filipe Toledo – we still haven’t got a real idea of what it feels like to surf the wave. Not to mention just a small glimmer at the left.
For all that and more – also see our full guide about everything to know about the wave...so far – here’s WSL commentator and international surfing charger in his own right, Strider Wasilewski, with an in-depth breakdown:
"Water from the ocean, waves created by a surf god, 5th element back drop by Abu Dhabi…Oh and I think the left is better than the right!
“@kellyslater @modonproperties @surfabudhabi @kswaveco have made an unbelievable combination of elements. I took this photo from the second story of the @surfabudhabi facility before I went into the water and surfed. I kept going back and looking at it over and over again mind blown.
“Then I paddled in the water, felt the extra ease of the ocean water and lightness it created. There was room for error on the wave yet it still had power and a heavy barrel. The transitions and contour of the wave lend to your attack on it and the toob… The toob sections don’t chase you down, they lift you up and carry you forward. You can play on the foam ball of the toob and your heart races while it happens.
“Who knew, what’s next, WTF! Much appreciation and honored to be able be here for the launch of something so special.
"Inspired watching @stephaniegilmore @caroline_markss @filipetoledo @gabrielmedina @ramziboukhiam @floresjeremy @kellyslater @charlesrsmith @raimanaworld smashing and slashing! We also had a mean bench once the game looked like it was locked up, @keoniwatson23 @noahgrimmett @stephenisbelly @taylorsteele #bango #letsgo #inabudhabi #surfabudhabi #findyourwave #kellyslater #bymodon #hudayriatisland"
Stay tuned for more Surf Abu Dhabi content.
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