Surfing on Kelly Slater's Machine-Made Wave | The Backstory | The New Yorker

William Finnegan discusses his reporting on the best surfer in the world, Kelly Slater, and how his revolutionary wave machine both advanced and disrupted the surfing industry. Some surfing footage courtesy of www.worldsurfleague.com Still haven’t subscribed to The New Yorker on YouTube ►► http://bit.ly/newyorkeryoutubesub Surfing on Kelly Slater's Machine-Made Wave | The Backstory | The New Yorker

Surfing on Kelly Slater's Machine-Made Wave | The Backstory | The New Yorker sentiment_very_dissatisfied 66

Surf 5 years ago 163,983 views

William Finnegan discusses his reporting on the best surfer in the world, Kelly Slater, and how his revolutionary wave machine both advanced and disrupted the surfing industry. Some surfing footage courtesy of www.worldsurfleague.com Still haven’t subscribed to The New Yorker on YouTube ►► http://bit.ly/newyorkeryoutubesub Surfing on Kelly Slater's Machine-Made Wave | The Backstory | The New Yorker

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Most popular comments
for Surfing on Kelly Slater's Machine-Made Wave | The Backstory | The New Yorker

Aron Speedy
Aron Speedy - 5 years ago
Wow so big never heard of it. Sounds like a gasp for attention the money into each wave will not last unless world wide tournaments are a regular thing. But is it reliable and large enough for that to sustain it could bring a different side of surfing but looks like a money pit.
Deon Van der Westhuizen
Deon Van der Westhuizen - 5 years ago
Talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk....
Turbo Tractors
Turbo Tractors - 5 years ago
Does it feel different to surf fresh water?
David Gough
David Gough - 5 years ago
The broadest value in these repeatable wave machines is not so much in contests as in BOARD DESIGN
Scott Gorman
Scott Gorman - 5 years ago
Been surfing 50 years and as all surfers know some rides only last seconds to maybe 1/2 minute. Natural waves one has to make instantaneous decisions as the bottom changes, that is what makes it so freaking awesome. Now I'd love to give Kelly's wave a shot...2 minute plus rides...yea but I'm not one of the elites. Oh well I'll have to deal with some more of King Neptunes attitude. Pray for surf folks.
Leonard Wallstein
Leonard Wallstein - 5 years ago
I am a road cyclist, and my sport has seen the exact same thing happen in 2018. It's the rise of the indoor trainer. You're sitting on a normal bike, with an electronic resistance machine instead of a back wheel, and you're racing and training in a virtual world. There's a huge debate if you can be a good cyclist without dealing with the team strategy, bike handling, line choice, and drafting as you do in the real world. Just interesting how similar these things are.
Carter Chapman
Carter Chapman - 5 years ago
I see this as a parallel to skateboarding in a way. Skaters who can only skate skateparks because they’re perfectly built vs street skaters who can adapt and over come the flaws, I.E the ocean is a better test of ones abilities because it’s more difficult
j f
j f - 5 years ago
As a realist i have to admit, whatever argument against this comes up, at the end the surfer with the most hours on this wave is the best surfer!
JXNFRD
JXNFRD - 5 years ago
Perfectly explained. Thats the answer i was searching for.
GAMAFAZZE HDTV //24H LIVESTEAM
GAMAFAZZE HDTV //24H LIVESTEAM - 5 years ago
Dude, what you say is the absolute truth. God bless you.
Juliana Fricholdvic
Juliana Fricholdvic - 5 years ago
Word!
Giuliano Gullini
Giuliano Gullini - 5 years ago
Well time again for the Olimpic Games, this time without waiting period..

10. comment for Surfing on Kelly Slater's Machine-Made Wave | The Backstory | The New Yorker

Bruno Goncalves
Bruno Goncalves - 5 years ago
Nicely done .
kawika dav
kawika dav - 5 years ago
This pool is for the surfers that already earned their strips.
Edward Benoit
Edward Benoit - 5 years ago
BONZERs Rule!
David Gough
David Gough - 5 years ago
That's where these machine waves will really make a difference: board design !
Edward Benoit
Edward Benoit - 5 years ago
Kelly make it bigger! 15 foot!!!!!
smallfaucet
smallfaucet - 5 years ago
Wonder when it will be too small?
Adam Noce
Adam Noce - 5 years ago
William Finnegan. Barbarian Days. AMAZING book. His credibility is 100%. This guy has surfed at some of the greatest waves around the world.
fernando g. aguirre
fernando g. aguirre - 5 years ago
I'm just amazed! speechless ......Congrats! I live in Hawaii and this is that kind of sport that is near to impossible to be good when you don't learn it as a kid.
David Gough
David Gough - 5 years ago
2-3 year learning curve. It's mostly paddling though.
Philip
Philip - 5 years ago
It's like indoor rock climbing - completely different to outdoor rock climbing. Nothing replicates nature and the outdoors.
ylborn
ylborn - 5 years ago
Great job!
Maximilian Henke
Maximilian Henke - 5 years ago
I am currently dealing with a start-up that tries really hard to get people investing in its energy storage technology, although its very promising and - to be honest - extremely necessary due to the transition to renewable energy.
So they are struggling but this wave creation stuff is made real.

I am not critising sports but shouldn't focus a little bit more on the stuff that is necessary to sustain humain life on this planet?
David Gough
David Gough - 5 years ago
Agreed. But when people lose interest in nature they don't care to protect it. Earth is to be played in and loved. Naturesports are a cultural doorway into sustainability. Beauty is underrated as a legit and necessary value. Good onya for your noble efforts.

20. comment for Surfing on Kelly Slater's Machine-Made Wave | The Backstory | The New Yorker

Alex Vargas
Alex Vargas - 5 years ago
Real dude bro at 4:21
trained eye
trained eye - 5 years ago
Way to expensive to
become mainsteam. To date, how much has each wave cost? Surely a lot more than any mainstream person can afford.
Ericsurf6
Ericsurf6 - 5 years ago
Nicely done New Yorker! Let's hope this Perfect Wave will be available for more of us to surf in the future.
Brando Barrera
Brando Barrera - 5 years ago
- Surfer creates surf machine
- We shouldnt play god
Eggs4ckley
Eggs4ckley - 5 years ago
Surf spots are generally overcrowded. Open source the bottom contours so we can build quality surf breaks in the ocean.(no sandbag follies) and let nature supply the energy.
David Gough
David Gough - 5 years ago
Solve beach erosion: why not dissipate wave energy in the graduated form of peeling breakers? Nonsurfers are not qualified to be coastal engineers.
K H
K H - 5 years ago
At the end of the day, it is still a wave pool. Just have fun
hyperbomb02
hyperbomb02 - 5 years ago
I think Slater's wave will be absolutely pivotal to growing surf competitions. Surf comps have never been a viewer friendly affair, unless you were in person. But surf competitions have never been "the surf experience", I've done 2 when I was much younger, and they are just as hectic as William describes feeling when he was getting ready to drop in on this wave. When you are out there with friends, or at the end of a long day, every wave is good. Your last wave almost always feels like the best wave you've ever surfed, until you catch your next one. Whether that be a little off set wave that you catch to past the time, or when you paddle out and wait for the next set to roll in. That's surfing, it's why 5 year olds and 90 year olds enjoy it equally. It's not a test of physical merit or ability. This wave isn't recreating that experience, but as Slater said, it's definitely creating an environment of pure skill... which ultimately is what competition is about.
I watched this comp on TV and loved it, as did everyone else in the bar it accidentally came on in. No one had seen a comp like this before, non-surfers were watching. The main effect is I wanted to go surfing. I welcome our new perfect competition wave overlords.
4xYotax4
4xYotax4 - 5 years ago
Are you kidding? The wave pool "comps" are the most boring things I've ever seen. Surfing is fun to watch because it is dynamic.
Tim Thayer
Tim Thayer - 5 years ago
Add in a shark then I'd surf it.
Lakshan K
Lakshan K - 5 years ago
what does he mean by 408 or 608 ??
CAOH
CAOH - 5 years ago
Being 55 and grown-up surfing in San Clemente I find the machine and the wave interesting, but it lacks the ecstatic environment - sometimes surfing is the adventure of just getting there, being there at the right moment, being in the right spot on the right set. I don't surf anymore, but that desire and feeling are just as intoxicating just thinking about it - I truly miss it with all my heart! I just don't think you can manufacture the energy and the feeling the ocean gives - many many pleasure moments rush through my mind just writing this!
Liam Murphy
Liam Murphy - 5 years ago
hopefully you're back into it.

30. comment for Surfing on Kelly Slater's Machine-Made Wave | The Backstory | The New Yorker

Just the Pip
Just the Pip - 5 years ago
This was one of my favorite reads of 2018 – neat to see in video form as well.
gregjustsitting
gregjustsitting - 5 years ago
God made wave, man made wave, a choice? I'll take God made every time except on a long wave drought and a heat wave, then I'll take any wave.
Homan Asiri
Homan Asiri - 5 years ago
So lame, why not get excited instead of clinical and boring.
kreuzbørg
kreuzbørg - 5 years ago
There is an artificial wave in the centre of Munich where people just put a board in a river. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz2bdm2imcY
Vlaid65
Vlaid65 - 5 years ago
Pleasantly surprised by this video. Pretty much touched on everything of importance. There are allot of truisms in our lives, but Steph Gillmore's comment summarized it well: "Then they paddle out at Pipeline and drown". Excellent video.
Ernesto Carvajal
Ernesto Carvajal - 5 years ago
Amazing journalism. I didn't get the "408 or 608?" question kelly asked at 6:50, can someone explain?
David Gough
David Gough - 5 years ago
Tee-times 4:08 pm or 6:08 pm
Matt Clarke
Matt Clarke - 5 years ago
Kelly's wave pool is great: now we can move all of these silly "contests" to Fresno and out of the ocean.
Jim Barnes
Jim Barnes - 5 years ago
Don’t worry about playing God Kelly. God created Tavarua.
jeff spicoli
jeff spicoli - 5 years ago
this will indefinitely progress the sport to new levels, don't think of it as a way of killing the soul of surfing. I can't wait to surf the pool. Nothing compares or substitutes for the ocean, so just think of it as a place that exists in the valley where humans have artificially created surfing, nothing more.
TommyZ DoesStuff
TommyZ DoesStuff - 5 years ago
After Slater's wave people will want an artificial wave for awhile. But then want an organic wild wave soon after
David Gough
David Gough - 5 years ago
They're in for a shock. Nature isn't that cooperative.
R Java
R Java - 5 years ago
Super duper pooper scooper, all kooks go wavepool,
Arun Warriar
Arun Warriar - 5 years ago
Incredible invention but could blunt out the natural life saving instincts that a natural wave teaches! Rightly pointed out!
Jimmy Gilmore
Jimmy Gilmore - 5 years ago
People will hate on it always, but the fact of the matter is change will never stop, as well as progression and this is exactly that.
Benoit Avril
Benoit Avril - 5 years ago
Ok that's nothing like "playing god", it's just a wave, but I swear the sea is often more beautiful...
That said, i would have loved the endless donuts wave.
John Normal
John Normal - 5 years ago
Can they make the wave bigger? Like Nazare height?
krusher74
krusher74 - 5 years ago
its possible but the pool would have to be lake sized! (miles long)
Milky Way Galaxy
Milky Way Galaxy - 5 years ago
Well, somebody had to build this Frankenstein's Monster.
drew pickles
drew pickles - 5 years ago
it's the same thing as a skatepark. it's not ruining anything. just makes people better.
Kevin C
Kevin C - 5 years ago
I guess this is comparable to a skateboarder learning to ride on tough terrain in the streets as opposed to learning to skate at a smooth and clean skatepark.
jimmy wrangles
jimmy wrangles - 5 years ago
If the wave was 3 feet taller it'd be perfect.
Raven Halterman
Raven Halterman - 5 years ago
I’m reading barbarian days!

50. comment for Surfing on Kelly Slater's Machine-Made Wave | The Backstory | The New Yorker

Ohana Films
Ohana Films - 5 years ago
William Finnegan gets his big moment at the end but the ad for the next video covers him up. Nice.
AllowMe 2Retort
AllowMe 2Retort - 5 years ago
Listening to this guy talk about the incredible wave and then hearing his response of "meh" when he got to surf it made me realize why I hate surfers and journalists. I need to go watch some Point Break to wash the bad taste out of my mouth...
David Gough
David Gough - 5 years ago
Too wuss to actually go surfing? It's not like you think.
IvanGotYokes
IvanGotYokes - 5 years ago
Lol. They have constant drought in California... LET'S BUILD A WAVE POOL! Still pretty cool.
Jeramithehuman
Jeramithehuman - 5 years ago
I think the wave pool is in Texas
jeff spicoli
jeff spicoli - 5 years ago
engineered drought
Chip Curry
Chip Curry - 5 years ago
Playing God? That's a stretch.
David Gough
David Gough - 5 years ago
God gets bored always knowing the outcome, pretends to be us and plays "forget that I'm God". Every sentient being is God at play. A tough even terrifying game playing at the god level.
Johnathan Sanford
Johnathan Sanford - 5 years ago
Instead of talking the whole time, show the surfing with audio in the back? Lol
Clayton Brown
Clayton Brown - 5 years ago
Just another overpriced amusement park, nothing to do with surfing.
Travis Bickle2.0
Travis Bickle2.0 - 5 years ago
Miki Dora was right. They are interested, in clones...

Where's the video of this kook, btw??
Mark Estes
Mark Estes - 5 years ago
billion dollar idea....these things could (should) pop up everywhere.
Mit Seraffej
Mit Seraffej - 5 years ago
Has anybody seen numbers on how much energy, ie cost, is required per wave? The bigger the wave the more it will cost I guess. When I build mine it will be in sea water and ten miles long.
Steven Watson
Steven Watson - 5 years ago
its cool now after skateboarding we can have surfing in the Olympics, ?.
Jeremiah Alphonsus
Jeremiah Alphonsus - 5 years ago
This sterile, soulless wave pool is part of wretched modern man’s war against God, at the core of which is a war on the natural order. Thus the push to normalize insanity such as “transgender,” sodomite “marriage,” feminized men and manly women, and all the rest of today’s inversion of nature—including this wave pool.

The philosophicaly astute will see the truth of my words. The conformed herd—often identifiable today by their pitiful tattoos—will wonder what the fuss is all about.

Are you an atheist and thus reject all this? Or are you “spiritual but not religious”? Then you’re a total conformist in today’s wretched world.
DankDungeon
DankDungeon - 5 years ago
Lol way out of context
Benoit Avril
Benoit Avril - 5 years ago
Can you just shut up moron ?
Woke Dude Els
Woke Dude Els - 5 years ago
Surfing is to expensive to become main stream
Ed Ward
Ed Ward - 5 years ago
I've been surfing for 43 years. By the looks of the lineups every time I paddle these days, I'd say it's main stream.
Nick Toss
Nick Toss - 5 years ago
Not if you live by a beach. I surfed growing up because all I needed was my board, cheapest thing on the island.
Derrick Flyr
Derrick Flyr - 5 years ago
Didn't used to be. In fact it was the poorer guys who got into it. Different now.
DJ Deckard Cain
DJ Deckard Cain - 5 years ago
Great piece. Beautiful wave.
Tosh Hosk
Tosh Hosk - 5 years ago
went there in september for the surf ranch pro
Kevin Jansen
Kevin Jansen - 5 years ago
Having been to the wave pool and experienced a few contests there, I believe wave pools will be to surfing what skateparks are to skating. Not a replacement just a place to surf with regularity and not have to worry about whether or not there will be waves. I think this pool and the one in texas will advance the sport, but no matter what is done in either, especially as far as airs go, it won't be legitimized until done in the ocean.

That being said it's mind blowing to watch a surf contest that felt like a legitimate sporting event.
Deanandlisa1803
Deanandlisa1803 - 5 years ago
Endless Summer = “You reallllly missed it”
malaihiboi
malaihiboi - 5 years ago
He said there's no perfect waves in the ocean. That's not the truth. There are always perfect waves in nature. But it's a one time perfection each time.
Eric Outram
Eric Outram - 5 years ago
Too much yap yap yap
Thomas Duncan
Thomas Duncan - 5 years ago
lmao its a story what did u expect
Dreama40
Dreama40 - 5 years ago
No Sharks to worry about, it can't be all bad.
MacinTuts
MacinTuts - 5 years ago
A vlogger/surfer called Ben Gravy was invited to Kelly's Surf Ranch and made a really in depth video of it as a facility in addition to riding it, best video for a first hand experience.
Antitheses Pistopheles
Antitheses Pistopheles - 5 years ago
+Jeremiah Alphonsus I see what you are saying, but I would not compare this wave pool to “transgender,” sodomite “marriage,” feminized men and manly women, which are all degenerate Marxist viruses created for the purpose of destruction. This pool was born of a deep creative urge and could also be seen as yet another marvel of the European mind. If you condemn this pool then you must condemn the wheel.
Nick Soper
Nick Soper - 5 years ago
Gravy livin’ the dream
jeff spicoli
jeff spicoli - 5 years ago
+Jeremiah Alphonsus if you havent realized the world is being poisoned in front of your face. creating a wave pool is not a part of that process, leave it out of politics.
Benoit Avril
Benoit Avril - 5 years ago
+Jeremiah Alphonsus ha ha ha, you nuts. How do you see washing your teeth or correcting your vision idiot ? Is it against the natural order ?
Sirios Star
Sirios Star - 5 years ago
Wow, that's waaay over thought .
It's a wave machine , that's all.
Enjoy the REAL waves and enjoy the machine waves. No need for comparisons.
sdgenetics1904
sdgenetics1904 - 5 years ago
Just wait till this wave gets to be as big as pipeline.
Rob Cook
Rob Cook - 5 years ago
He's god so he ain't playing .....
Mark Kendrick
Mark Kendrick - 5 years ago
Great for training and practicing but they have no business having competition on it......Not natural and variant.......
Paula S
Paula S - 5 years ago
Sorry, I disagree. It is Perfect for competition. Because each competitor of any category is performing on the 'Identical" type of wave -- Like comparing oranges to oranges -- or like comparing apples to apples. No one can say that the winners "got better waves" than the non-winners.
Brad Burkley
Brad Burkley - 5 years ago
Not a fan of the New Yorker, to be honest. And further, I wanted to be dismissive the whole clip. But I smiled and couldn't stop. Surfing since 12, and same age as KS, the truth is, a day will come where surfing and surfing in the ocean will be polarized. Just as nature and human nature have become. Still connected. A biblical proportion umbilical.
AJ Amorelli
AJ Amorelli - 5 years ago
Kelly never meant for this to replace the ocean, and it doesn't, it's just a super awesome place to train, or go to commercially once they start opening public ones. As a surfer I think it's totally rad; and it will never replace the magic of the ocean.
ZCJKF13GDG4
ZCJKF13GDG4 - 5 years ago
+Jeremiah Alphonsus we gonna win the war and string up your bitchass god like mussolini
jesse christian
jesse christian - 5 years ago
+Jeremiah Alphonsus you mean the collectivized ego.
Jeremiah Alphonsus
Jeremiah Alphonsus - 5 years ago
+Derek Norman It's part of the same war against the natural order of things.
Derek Norman
Derek Norman - 5 years ago
Jeremiah Alphonsus bruh, ion think its that deep. A wave machine has nothing to do with transgender stuff
Jeremiah Alphonsus
Jeremiah Alphonsus - 5 years ago
This sterile, soulless wave pool is part of wretched modern man’s war against God, at the core of which is a war on the natural order. Thus the push to normalize insanity such as “transgender,” sodomite “marriage,” feminized men and manly women, and all the rest of today’s inversion of nature—including this wave pool.

The philosophicaly astute will see the truth of my words. The conformed herd—often identifiable today by their pitiful tattoos—will wonder what the fuss is all about.

Are you an atheist and thus reject all this? Or are you “spiritual but not religious”? Then you’re a total conformist in today’s wretched world.
Norman Oro
Norman Oro - 5 years ago
Great clip. Kelly Slater made the perfect wave. As William Finnegan indicates, I don't know that there's any surfer who wouldn't want to surf that wave. I haven't paddled out regularly in a long time, but I would love to surf a wave like that; and I think it's true that if you've taken your lumps and you've had to conquer fear sometimes surfing, it makes that wave even more special. I think if you grow up surfing just that perfect wave without any unpredictability or danger, that's fine. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I think you're blessed actually. However, it might not be as special for you because you never had to deal with shivering in the water to surf mush (and being genuinely thankful you got to surf those mushy waves), going over the falls, getting your bell rung on a closeout, getting caught inside, having to take off just in front of a bunch of rocks during low tide, getting bounced on the reef, etc.
Adam Dennis
Adam Dennis - 5 years ago
Real perspective
parraphrase
parraphrase - 5 years ago
Great piece.
Wheresthereef
Wheresthereef - 5 years ago
thats a big wave William ;)
Julio Gomez-Fraile
Julio Gomez-Fraile - 5 years ago
with all due respect... there are no mediocre waves. nature is not mediocre.
Fred DeSmet
Fred DeSmet - 5 years ago
Nice back story.
Rodrigo Fernandes
Rodrigo Fernandes - 5 years ago
Who woulda thought that "North Shore" the movie would be so accurate now a days. I want to watch it again... Netflix, please!
Stand up for GOOD
Stand up for GOOD - 5 years ago
Advanced?! Haaa Combo Kellys wave with The Venus Project abd you get...
24 perfect waves wrapping the circle city all day every day every city.
The future of a sane society.
The Best That Money Cant Buy.
Ari Lew
Ari Lew - 5 years ago
some of the best journalism. he wrote an incredible autobiography as well. Big ups to Finnegan
stoke pusher
stoke pusher - 5 years ago
I would live on Mars if Kelly's machine was there (also imagine the air's in low gravity) but if there's one thing I would change it would be a grid of water compartments under the lining which could be quickly be filled/emptied and so give the ability to mess with perfection and keep you on your toes once again. You just hit 'shuffle' on the Ranch iPod and hey presto, you never surf the same wave twice!
Joe Porcello
Joe Porcello - 5 years ago
It would be amazing to go. Too bad Kelly doesn't open it to the public. N if you were to rent it it'd be 5 figures
krusher74
krusher74 - 5 years ago
i read somewhere there were about 70 days open in 2019 "for rent" its $70K a day, that about $300/400 a wave. And sold out already!
sexy korean girl
sexy korean girl - 5 years ago
the bald makes him faster in the water
Devin
Devin - 5 years ago
Finnegan is the best writer/thinker on surfing out there. His book barbarian days is incredible.
Jory Pomeranz
Jory Pomeranz - 5 years ago
As a surfer, I have to say, this is good journalism. This guy nailed it. Nicely done William Finnegan.
Jeremiah Alphonsus
Jeremiah Alphonsus - 5 years ago
My parents are conformed atheists, moron. And most today are functionally atheists, no matter what they say.
Johnny Legend
Johnny Legend - 5 years ago
+Jeremiah Alphonsus most of people are still religious though, calling non religious people conformist because you feel threaten by a minority who is putting a quention mark on your belief taught by your parents without even asking questioning it, is pretty funny.
Rumple Foreskin
Rumple Foreskin - 5 years ago
Jory Pomeranz Except that he forgot to research that Wave Garden were already making waves and wave parks using that exact technology in Europe. Kelly just made them better by engineering the contour of the pool floor etc. So no. He didn’t dream up the idea with engineers at USC. https://youtu.be/p9PccGFY6JI
Kal Ngeonjuklin
Kal Ngeonjuklin - 5 years ago
yea better than rogan well that wasn't journalism
ElSchneids
ElSchneids - 5 years ago
Jeremiah Alphonsus Oh, so you’re just crazy. Got it.
Jeremiah Alphonsus
Jeremiah Alphonsus - 5 years ago
@ElSchneids I like to see every form that the war against the natural order—and by extension against God—takes. Like the devil, the forms of this war are legion.
ElSchneids
ElSchneids - 5 years ago
+Jeremiah Alphonsus Why are you watching surfing videos?
Vlaid65
Vlaid65 - 5 years ago
+Jeremiah Alphonsus And then a bitter and twisted individual decided that the truth was largely his/her domain. The burden of truth falls on the "postulator", and you postulated crap. Joy can be found in many places, so I hope you start looking for the REAL truth of life so you can chill out.
telosanton
telosanton - 5 years ago
There's a long form written piece that accompanies this video if you want to check that out it's also a wonderful read (This video was included in that article as supplementary media, if I'm not mistaken):

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/12/17/kelly-slaters-shock-wave
Jeremiah Alphonsus
Jeremiah Alphonsus - 5 years ago
Definitely, jason. You’re totally conformed. Your idiotic style of writing is yet another indication of your total NPC conformity.
jason deomes
jason deomes - 5 years ago
+Jeremiah Alphonsus are we casting stones Jeremiah?...
Jeremiah Alphonsus
Jeremiah Alphonsus - 5 years ago
Jason, surely you’ve vandalized your skin with at least one tattoo? Say MOOOOOO...... You’re branded.
Jeremiah Alphonsus
Jeremiah Alphonsus - 5 years ago
To be a conformist today is to be an atheist or merely “spiritual but not religious.” And of course tattoos are now the ultimate badges of conformity.
jason deomes
jason deomes - 5 years ago
+Jeremiah Alphonsus explain how you became the authority on natural order? Lol If you are religious, that is a form of conformity, mr. Righteous.
Jeremiah Alphonsus
Jeremiah Alphonsus - 5 years ago
Is that your “explanation,” Jason? Pitiful. Just pitiful.
Jeremiah Alphonsus
Jeremiah Alphonsus - 5 years ago
Explain, Jason.
RICHARD POSTRERO
RICHARD POSTRERO - 5 years ago
Great piece, Mr. Finnegan.
Jeremiah Alphonsus
Jeremiah Alphonsus - 5 years ago
This sterile, soulless wave pool is part of wretched modern man’s war against God, at the core of which is a war on the natural order. Thus the push to normalize insanity such as “transgender,” sodomite “marriage,” feminized men and manly women, and all the rest of today’s inversion of nature—including this wave pool.

The philosophicaly astute will see the truth of my words. The conformed herd—often identifiable today by their pitiful tattoos—will wonder what the fuss is all about.

Are you an atheist and thus reject all this? Or are you “spiritual but not religious”? Then you’re a total conformist in today’s wretched world.
Dre Antono
Dre Antono - 5 years ago
Whats up bike and build? Fancy seeing you here
nico DRUM
nico DRUM - 5 years ago
La meme vague va etre installe en France
Castets
moviedude22
moviedude22 - 5 years ago
I expected way more Kelly Slater in this clip lol
Bill Brewer
Bill Brewer - 5 years ago
It is like being helicoptered into Camp IV on Mt. Everest. What’s the point? This is a place for a very good surfer to take a vacation. It is like the private fishing lakes and hunting preserves, indoor skydiving or batting cages. There is no soul. The reporting, however, is very impressive.
laz foot
laz foot - 5 years ago
or like shooting fish in a barrel, running on a tread mill, biking on a stationary bicycle, playing a first person shooter. totally takes away the randomness, the entrophy of surfing..............and a hour session is $10,000 , and it makes 15waves an hour? that's $666 a wave that goes 700 yards. That thing costs about $1 per yard to operate minus amortization of the $30 million to build it? NO THANKS! I will take the El Porto dawn dustoff.
Shon Lassiter
Shon Lassiter - 5 years ago
you nailed it! omg couldnt agree with you more. glad you found the words i was looking for all this time.
+Jeremiah Alphonsus
Twoleggedkumulava
Twoleggedkumulava - 5 years ago
Yet all of those are super fun and an experience worth the while.
Derrick Flyr
Derrick Flyr - 5 years ago
I'm so glad the spawn of the elite have a training ground.
Mark Estes
Mark Estes - 5 years ago
will have millions trying to surf, if they market it that way.
Jeremiah Alphonsus
Jeremiah Alphonsus - 5 years ago
This sterile, soulless wave pool is part of wretched modern man’s war against God, at the core of which is a war on the natural order. Thus the push to normalize unnatural insanity such as “transgender,” sodomite “marriage,” feminized men and manly women, and all the rest of today’s inversion of nature—including this wave pool.

The philosophicaly astute will see the truth of my words. The conformed herd—often identifiable today by their pitiful tattoos—will wonder what the fuss is all about.

Are you an atheist and thus reject all this? Or are you “spiritual but not religious”? Then you’re a total conformist in today’s wretched world.
skierpage
skierpage - 5 years ago
+J B No, riding a wave is the key ingredient of surfing! I'm glad you like all the trappings around it, but they are not the essence.

It's the same with skiing/snowboarding. The people in a man-made terrain park are looked down on by some in-bound riders, who are looked down on by riders who reach the peak by back-country cat, snowmobile, or heli, while some ski mountaineers feel they are the only ones who truly earned their turns. It's all good.
J B
J B - 5 years ago
Bill Brewer, very well said. This is an impressive feat of engineering but obviously completely takes out the unpredictability of nature which is the key ingredient to surfing.
wildebeast
wildebeast - 5 years ago
Bill Brewer no it isn’t
It just a different kind of wave
Like every wave in the ocean
Richard Morse
Richard Morse - 5 years ago
Ditto: this is to surfing what climbing walls/gyms have been to climbing. An outstanding way to practice and hone some skills, but not - repeat NOT, real preparation for the Real Thing. Nonetheless, this is cool - Kelly had a vision and 10 years' persistence and he saw it through to completion. Kudos.
Jttv
Jttv - 5 years ago
Artificial surfing competitions are so bland.
squarecracker
squarecracker - 5 years ago
all surfing competitions are stupid. It's impossible to judge.
GDI 109
GDI 109 - 5 years ago
Jttv no, you know what’s bland? White rice with no seasoning.
James Carey
James Carey - 5 years ago
Read Finnegan's book "Barbarian Days" even if you're not a fan of surfing.
Hash Bro
Hash Bro - 5 years ago
Like my comment. And pin my comment

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