The World’s Biggest Wavepool Is Coming to Abu Dhabi

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Much akin to the space race, or the nuclear arms race, the current wavepool race is obsessed with superlatives. The best, the biggest, the longest, et cetera.

And now, there’s a new player in that battle for dominance.

Artist's rendition of the <span class="caas-xray-inline-tooltip"><span class="caas-xray-inline caas-xray-entity caas-xray-pill rapid-nonanchor-lt" data-entity-id="Kelly_Slater" data-ylk="cid:Kelly_Slater;pos:1;elmt:wiki;sec:pill-inline-entity;elm:pill-inline-text;itc:1;cat:Athlete;" tabindex="0" aria-haspopup="dialog"><a href="https://search.yahoo.com/search?p=Kelly%20Slater" data-i13n="cid:Kelly_Slater;pos:1;elmt:wiki;sec:pill-inline-entity;elm:pill-inline-text;itc:1;cat:Athlete;" tabindex="-1" data-ylk="slk:Kelly Slater;cid:Kelly_Slater;pos:1;elmt:wiki;sec:pill-inline-entity;elm:pill-inline-text;itc:1;cat:Athlete;" class="link ">Kelly Slater</a></span></span> Wave Co. pool coming to Abu Dhabi by the end of 2023. <p>Photo: © Modon Properties / KSWC</p>

A new project from Modon Properties has been announced, located on Abu Dhabi’s Hudayriyat Island, and featuring what they’re calling the world’s “largest man-made wave pool.” What’s more, the pool will be fueled by Kelly Slater Wave Co. tech.

Here’s a June 13th press release from Modon Properties, detailing their “masterplan”:

“Set to open by the end of 2023, Surf Abu Dhabi will be the biggest and most advanced artificial wave facility in the world. Designed in partnership with Kelly Slater Wave Co., the landmark destination will offer a high-performance surfing experience, featuring the world’s longest ride, biggest barrel, and largest man-made wave pool. Underscoring Abu Dhabi’s sporting and leisure credentials, the exclusive surfing complex seeks to attract everyone from beginners to pro-surfers. 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.”

Sure looks like a Kelly Slater Wave Co. pool, amidst the 'Dune'-like desert-scape.<p>Photo: Google Earth</p>
Sure looks like a Kelly Slater Wave Co. pool, amidst the 'Dune'-like desert-scape.

Photo: Google Earth

Specifics on just how big the pool will be, and the size of the waves it will be able to produce, are still scarce. However, per a report from TimeOut, the pool will span 51 million square meters. The Surf Ranch in Lemoore, CA is reportedly 2,300 feet long – that’s only 700 meters.

So, it’s bigger. Much bigger. You do the math.

There’s about to be much more news on this pool soon; stay tuned.

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