LEMOORE, Calif. — The Kelly Slater Surf Ranch, often referred to as the "8th wonder of the surf world," is changing the way we experience surfing. Located just south of Fresno, the world-class surf pool has captivated surfers and fans alike with its ability to produce perfect, machine-like waves.
Arriving at the Surf Ranch, I had the chance to test the wave under the lights — an experience that felt almost dreamlike. But it was sharing those waves with surf legend Gerry Lopez, known as "Mr. Pipeline," that made the moment even more surreal.
"I think it's great!" Lopez exclaimed. "It’s a perfect wave that just so happens to be in a pool. You’re not ready for that; you’re thinking it’s a pool, how can it be? But it’s fast!"
The Surf Ranch first made waves in 2015 with the unveiling of its right-hand wave. In 2020, they added a left, and that’s when Slater called on Lopez to come ride it. It was a game-changer.
WATCH: One-on-one with surf legend Gerry Lopez to discuss Slater Surf Ranch (full interview)
The morning after our night surf, we got our first look at the wave in daylight. The 2,300-foot long pool, holding 15 million gallons of water, produces waves that last for more than 45 seconds. It was once a water ski lake, but Kelly Slater’s KS Wave Co transformed it into the surfing mecca it is today. Construction began in 2013 and finished in 2015, and it’s been an ever-evolving vision since then.
Kaniela Neves, CEO of the Surf Ranch, oversees the operation and keeps the waves rolling. "Kelly called me up and said, ‘Hey, you want to come ride the first left?’ I said, ‘Sure.’ This is Kelly’s vision, his ideas, his thought processes," Neves said.
The creation of the Surf Ranch was years in the making, starting with Slater’s connection to Adam Fincham, an associate professor at USC. In 2006, Slater and Fincham began working together to turn Slater's vision into reality. Fincham, an expert in aerospace and mechanical engineering, helped design the technology behind the perfect wave.
"Adam came up with the science of how to create a swell," Slater explained. "The scientific term is a Soliton, or solitary wave. Adam figured out how to make it, and that was the basis of our patent."
The design of the pool's bottom also plays a crucial role. Neves explained that if you were to drain the pool, you'd see peaks, valleys, and plateaus arranged in a specific way that, when combined with the foil, pushes the water to create different parts of the wave.
After 10 years of research and development, the first wave was ridden on December 5, 2015 — by none other than Kelly Slater himself.
"That's when we rode the waves for the first time," Slater recalled. "Todd Glasser from San Diego and I were there. We did a book about it, by the way — a little self-promotion."
Despite the years of work, Slater was confident the project would succeed. "We were very confident it was going to work," he said. "I didn’t have any doubts."
And the wave delivers — with plenty of power, down-the-line speed, and even barrels that rival natural waves. But for Slater, it’s not just about riding the wave himself; it’s about the joy others get from it.
"I enjoy hearing people’s stories and watching them surf more than I enjoy surfing it myself," he said. "Jeff and I take pride in how much people enjoy this place."
WATCH: One-on-one with surf legend Kelly Slater to discuss his Surf Ranch (full interview)
This generosity of spirit is part of the ethos Slater brings to all his ventures. "If you get fame and do nothing good with it, you’ve kind of wasted it," he said, and it’s clear that Slater is using his fame for more than just surfing glory.
Slater and his team also give back through charity efforts, such as the golf tournament fundraiser for Brother Benno's, a group serving the San Diego and Oceanside areas.
In terms of the Surf Ranch crew, many of the surf teachers, lifeguards, and staff members hail from San Diego — adding another layer of local pride to the operation. "There’s a lot of DNA coming out of that area," Neves said.
As for getting in to the Surf Ranch, it’s not as simple as showing up. With a waitlist that can span over a year, surfers must plan ahead, and single surfers are not allowed; groups are required. It’s a coveted experience that promises to be worth the wait.
For Slater, the Surf Ranch taps into a deep-rooted love for surfing that began in his childhood. "I was using my imagination a lot as a kid," he said. "Drawing great waves, writing about them in my school books, getting in trouble for it. That was part of the deal."
The Kelly Slater Surf Ranch isn’t just about perfect waves — it’s about making the dream of riding those waves a reality for anyone lucky enough to get a spot.