Surfing in Saudi Arabia? Manmade Wave Pool Emerges Like a Desert Mirage (Video)
Of all the things that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is known for – from cultural and religious sites, to ancient archeological discoveries, to petroleum production – the sport of surfing is not typically chief amongst the Middle East country’s accolades.
That, however, is all about to change.
A brand-new surf lagoon, much like a mirage in the desert, has emerged in Saudi Arabia. Endless Surf, the manmade wave-making company behind Germany’s 02 SurfTown Muc, has provided a first-look at their latest development at the Red Sea entertainment and adventure venue, known as Adrena. Check out the sneak peek below.
“Located on the pristine shores of western Saudi Arabia, ADRENA sits just a short drive from Red Sea International Airport and the acclaimed Shura Island, home to a growing collection of luxury resorts,” a press release announced. “The Endless Surf lagoon introduces an authentic saltwater wave pool experience to a venue designed around adrenaline and active lifestyle pursuits. Alongside this signature surf attraction, ADRENA blends a dynamic mix of land and water-based experiences set against a striking coastal backdrop.”
Some specs on the pool: It features Endless Surf’s latest ES36 technology; the pool measures 215 meters (700 feet) long; it can produce waves up to 2.1 meters (6.8 feet); there are all different types of waves, catering to all skill levels of surfers; it will utilize saltwater from the Red Sea, offering a sustainable, real-life ocean feeling; and more.
Tanner Wilson
In addition to the surf lagoon, Adrena comes with all the bells and whistles, specifically catering to the adrenaline junkie crowd, including: “a wakeboarding lake, a skate and BMX park, a FlowSurf stationary wave, snorkel trails, cliff jumping, 10-meter slip ‘n’ fly slides, a multilevel Aquaplay structure, zip lines, rock climbing challenges, obstacle courses, and dedicated areas for beach sports and relaxation.”
This also comes as other synthetic surf parks are emerging in the Middle East – there’s the Kelly Slater Wave Company’s Surf Abu Dhabi, and a Bahrain pool in the works. As for Endless Surf, they’ve got a few others coming down the pipeline, too; one in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, another in Florida, one coming to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and more.
Adrena officially opens to the public on March 1st.