Kelly Slater built a gigantic robotic pool that creates the perfect surf waves

FAN Editor

The World Surf League, which is majority-owned by billionaire Dirk Ziff, bought Slater’s company two years ago for an undisclosed sum. Now the WSL wants to roll out these wave pools globally, from Brazil to Japan. The company is already building a similar wave pool in Florida, which is expected to open by the end of next year.

WSL CEO Sophie Goldschmidt said there are a number of possible uses for these pools, depending on where they are located. But one primary function will be to host WSL competitions, turning surfing into a true stadium sport.

“It is a game-changer for the sport of surfing,” Goldschmidt said. “It allows us to build live, programmable television content.”

The wave pools aren’t cheap, potentially costing as much as $20 million each to build. Still, the excitement is clear: 10,000 people, each paying about $100, are expected to come this weekend to Lemoore to watch 25 professional surfers compete.

If the new model is successful, wave pools will be playing in an $8 billion surfing industry that’s expected to grow by almost 40 percent by 2024, according to Global Industry Analysts.

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