“Gabriel Medina’s Epic Kick-Out Captures World Sports Photography Award!”

A massive, ominous wave of repercussions.

This is the moment surfers have been anticipating
ever since Kelly Slater introduced his artificial wave a decade ago in Lemoore, California. But doesn’t it feel like just yesterday when
the most celebrated professional surfer stood in the tule
fog, laughing maniacally as a flawless barrel formed and rolled
with the press of a button?

Like demonic magic.

We have made significant progress since then. Pools employing various
technologies have produced different types of waves in Palm Springs,
Melbourne, Waco, Sydney, Bristol, Tenerife, and Abu Dhabi. The last
one located very close to the oil-rich kingdom of Bahrain which has just unveiled the moment surfers have been anticipating ever since Kelly Slater debuted his artificial wave in Lemoore, California a decade ago.

A massive, ominous wave of repercussions dubbed the “Club
Hawaii Experience.”

According to the press
release:

Bahrain is ready to launch the Bahrain Surf Park – Club Hawaii
Experience, which will be the inaugural surf park in the MENA region utilizing Spain’s cutting-edge ‘Wavegarden Cove’ technology. Anticipated to open in early 2026, the park will be located on Bahrain’s picturesque sunset coast in the island’s southwest.

Honoring Hawaii as the cradle of surfing, Bahrain Surf Park aspires to integrate Hawaiian culture and atmosphere into its attractions and amenities. Utilizing the innovative ‘Wavegarden Cove’ technology, recognized for its low energy consumption, the park will accommodate up to 90 surfers at once and generate 1,000 waves per hour.

This surf park will provide over 140,000 surf sessions each year through the Club Hawaii Surf Academy. This academy will offer extensive training programs suitable for all skill levels, from novices to expert surfers, with seasoned instructors guiding and nurturing surfers.

etc.

Very thrilling, but it was the accompanying image that sent surfers into fits of joy/fear. A well overhead right wave emulating the legendary waves found on Oahu’s North Shore.

Now, at last, surfers will have the opportunity to experience Club Hawaii without the dread of beatings, inadvertently dropping in on a local hero, or colliding with the reef. Could the famously timid world champion
Filipe Toledo manage to secure a spot in Bahrain and conquer his fear of large waves?

Is there a new generation of Khaleeji surfers ready to tackle Shipsterns, Cape Solander, The Right, etc.?

I’ve spent considerable time in the Middle East and, honestly, find it hard to envision the locally born and bred wanting to face the dread of Club Hawaii.

Same goes for Pip Toledo, I suppose.

But what about you?

Gulf Air flights reserved?

Com Turren?