Inside Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch, where you can surf 100 miles inland -- for $10,000 | ESPN Photo

The Kelly Slater Wave Company Surf Ranch, also known as Slater's wave, is a 20-acre surfing amusement park in Lemoore, California, amid the farmland of the state's Central Valley. It's not the first man-made wave park, but it's the most powerful: The wave reaches speeds of 20 mph and heights of 8 feet, making it a capable host for competitions like the World Surf League Championship Tour. In time, controlled environments like Slater’s wave may become the norm for surfing competitions.
Customers pay $10,000 to surf for an hour, so it’s no surprise that the Surf Ranch boasts a celebrity clientele: Chris Hemsworth, Drew Brees, Tony Hawk, Shaun White, and Eddie Vedder have all caught waves there.
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[@ahmetsezaonal2699]

Brilliant idea, excellent execution. However, for 10k you could fly to Bali, rent a villa with a private pool for a month, rent a motorcycle for a month, surf everyday, party everyday, eat at the best restaurants everyday, you’d still have some money left over. 10k is an insane amount of money for this.

[@petec5935]

Yeah it is. Wave garden in the UK everyone can afford to go and the water is clear blue clean water

[@ManGo-mu5rd]

Too bad without this high cost, Slater family won't breakeven after multiple generations 😂😂😂

[@hiro9920]

Not really when you realize this isnt made for the public goofy LMAOO this is a pro surfers practice park but will let people use for for $10k 💀

[@hellyeah3871]

For surfers scared of sharks

[@stevenr5149]

THIS keeps it exclusive for Billionaires and celebrities. $10,000 is the perfect VIP pass.

[@robertcerda92]

For 10k you can vacation in Hawaii, surf whenever, and stay at the 4 seasons.

[@mcearl8073]

Yea really. That is insane. I’m guessing he just doesn’t want a ton of people there so he set it at a crazy price

[@giraffepunx4484]

I would imagine only pros practice there, and the bill goes to the sponsors. Like Steve Olson says, "THEY OWE!". LOL. I bet the brands get the bills. $30M is a lot of money. Not to mention maintenance.

[@bignateliving4056]

Mc Earl probably not. I’m sure the operating costs are very high.

[@xlifexwithxlithiumx]

Yes but you dont get to ride a perfect wave for 45 sec ... thats a hella long time on the same wave dude

[@sluj49]

its not for normies

[@erikjpendleton]

I'm all in to ride an epic wave park like this but 10k is F'N ABSURD!

[@silkybenjamin4208]

The most it egregious priceing I think I've ever seen

[@axlrozes1777]

that's for one fkn hour!!!

[@allywilkeforsenate]

Yup.Real waves are free.

[@MrSirFluffy]

@@silkybenjamin4208 Well, it did cost them 30 million dollars to build and I imagine the maintenance price is extraordinarily high, especially because it's in Cali. Also, Cali had the highest tax so if they receive 10k that means they only actually get 5k. The rest goes to the Fed and to the State.

[@silkybenjamin4208]

@@MrSirFluffy I live in the bay area, tax is absolutely nuts. However still doesn't begin to justify 10k to ride a wave.

[@johnb8440]

10k an hour with a 1 minute ride and a 4 minute reset equates to 12 rides maximum. Alternatively, you can take a first class ticket to just about any beach in the world and stay there for about a week....

[@testboga5991]

You don't get the smell of stale water at the beach, though!

[@jameshinton429]

Good luck.

[@sultanmdn2957]

NooOw we talking !!! Exaaaactly 😅 10k 🤦‍♂️

[@jimmiemacd3603]

1st class ticket from DFW to Melbourne starts at 16k. Don’t think so buddy.

[@RadagastBrown420]

​@@jimmiemacd3603What kind of imbecile would pay 16k to fly to anywhere 😂

[@NicolasValentinScotland]

As of 2021, the cost for a public session at Kelly Slater’s Wave Ranch is $450 per person on weekdays and $500 per person on weekends. This includes your 90-minute session as well as access to all necessary equipment such as boards and wetsuits.

[@whatsupbudbud]

Damn, that's awesome. Thanks for sharing!

[@PipeScholar]

That's much more reasonable lol

[@jerald6023]

Are bodysurfers welcome?

[@wyskass861]

And surely the bonus of seeing the inevitable irony of people driving here in EVs as seeking energy efficiency

[@andrespaz989]

From what I just read on SURFER it says it's around that price per wave? Is that true?

[@JustJenRx]

$10000 for ONE HOUR? I can’t even imagine being able to spend that on surfing!!!!

[@oteimoto85]

God bless this selfless company for bringing this experience to the everyday man in the street!!

[@babyade100]

This is def a joke right? 😂 The everyday man cannot pay 10k…

[@babyade100]

Ok ok, I’m a little slow… I see the sarcasm now with the term “selfless” 😂🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[@oteimoto85]

@@babyade100 But you have the humility to admit it took you a moment. That's a win (No sarcasm this time) 😉👍

[@JoeZUGOOLA]

The oceans are for poor people now.. all that trash and stuff

[@oteimoto85]

@@JoeZUGOOLA You can't just call por people trash like that!! 🤔😂😂

[@Livlifetaistdeth]

Driving into that place is a real example of the haves and the have nots.

[@wakantanka802]

A hyped up prawn farm for 10 grand an hour, dude..Mother nature she don't charge and she can dish you out solid memories...

[@philipstallwood9813]

The new wave garden at Tullamarine in Melbourne Australia has just opened and it's pretty good apparently. And a lot cheaper. $79 Aus for an hour.

[@niallio77]

Remember folks, wealthy people live in an unrealistic bubble - the beach and ocean are yours...as are the hills and mountains; be realistic about what you can do, and go out and do it.

[@snorttroll4379]

more specific

[@jesusramirez1786]

All the water being pumped into this place but yet we are in a "water drought" in the central valley. Amazing.

[@lukeamato2348]

Exactly

[@lukeamato2348]

@@tailgatecarpenter26 yes

[@chadwells7562]

A large body of water like this especially if it’s deep isn’t going to evaporate much, so I doubt there’s much pumping going on at all

[@velotill]

Also, the water is all greenish full of algae. Better come to Munich and surf the cristal clear Eisbach for free ; )

[@jaygatsby3039]

Excellent point.

[@mitchellbliss3828]

Imagine; you just keep falling and missing the wave hahaha

[@1twistedcpl6575]

$10,000 or 100 mile drive to open ocean? Hmmm...Dude wheres my car!!

[@nathan-n14nismo12]

Twistydigit Top Dawg 💯💯😂

[@crayk7598]

You can buy car for 10k

[@chrisdrake9934]

Its 10k to rent out the entire place for yourself if you want a day pass its 60-80 bucks

[@woodstock-sl1ft]

Can i have sum money?

[@JohnCarter-eg4ws]

Chris Drake wrong !

[@securethebag1613]

10k is crazy. Mans is wildin

[@ahernn1071]

10k......wtf!!!!......no wonder only celebrities visiting this.....it looks dope AF THOUGH!!!

[@lanague6890]

sooo 5 mins per wave, 12 times per hour, so 1 wave is almost 1k lol

[@boogiedownforever]

ha i thought that too and figured someone prolly did the math already. Here you are

[@KD-mm3li]

something like 170 a minute. Most are elite riders who go there on their sponsors dime.

[@vicp1990]

And thats only if youre there alone.

[@josephastier7421]

Ten thousand AN HOUR? I'm guessing the clientele would be pro surfers heading to a competition who are willing to pay serious money for some guaranteed practice time.

[@jamesbehrje4279]

That's about it!!! Lol

[@nobodyrobsourtrucks6118]

Or you could just surf at the ocean for $0.00

[@krystalsperfectteeth8194]

nobodyrobsourtrucks if you can find good enough wake

[@justinfee819]

Shark's 🦈

[@ssherrierable]

10,000$ an hour just crushed 99% of the surfers out there’s dreams… oh well, always got the ocean…

[@comp10]

🤔$10k for an hour? There must be some high operating expenses.

[@elimonks]

Ten years of R&D

[@Desertrats-c3y]

Palm Springs ca has already begun building two of these types of projects... not sure how sustainable it will be if the cost to operate it are similar.

[@Glostahdude]

Trying to recoup the $30m investment in 1 year it seems!

[@mainegreengrower4209]

I was thinking..let me skim board on the run off for $50?..

[@krystalsperfectteeth8194]

Slim Charles legend has it you can boogie board for $8,500

[@rebel9838]

They should make one that's a complete circle yo ride indefinitely. ♾️

[@Pulseczar1]

Sounds like a drain...

[@woodnbikes]

Why? You can't afford it....Yo

[@archierubio03]

i would go to a real beach for $10,000

[@jlm3336]

It looks like a sick wave 10,000 is a lot of money for an hour of surfing. It’s probably really expensive to operate , but most surfers don’t have money to pay that for an hour of waves That’s two boat trips to Mentawais

[@JamesKP17847]

Sponsors usually pay for people

[@coolcats4summer82]

So epic! Now I’ve got even more inspiration to work hard so someday I can afford to take my kid there! So stoked!

[@giacomo94061]

Put the money in a 529 instead. Your child will thank you.

[@KINGJEREMY6666]

Or just go to San Diego. The waves are free and the girls are out of this world.

[@Surfmus]

When I go make sure I bring my Morton salt to pour it on my head as I catch the waves. Nothing beats the Ocean.

[@bobbobsin3202]

They even include a great white for the real ocean experience. 😂

[@gurpchirp]

A ride lasts for 45-60 seconds. It takes 4 minutes for the water to reset. If each hour costs $10,000, and there are about 12 to 13 waves in an hour, the cost per wave would be approximately $10,000 / 12.63 ≈ $791.60.

[@captaincavemonkey]

I always wondered what happened to Kelly Kapowski, she apparently dumped Zack, married AC and started a super expensive surfing experience

[@tomjones2348]

I surf at Sebastian Inlet. Sometimes conditions are perfect. Sometimes not......but it's always beautiful to be there.

[@Savage209er]

Wow! 😮 I don’t know the first thing about surfing, but this is badass! 😎👍🏼 🌊🏄‍♂️

[@tacticalhomestead]

good thing California doesn't have a water shortage.

[@Rogerioapsandrade]

While this is a creative idea for people who don't live near the coastline to enjoy the sport of surfing, and for training pourposes, I really hope that this never become the norm for the sport. The cost is too high for most surfers and competitions in a pool with controlled waves tend to be monotonous since every wave is pratically the same and surfers don't need to "read" them as they must do on the sea.

[@bio2020]

OTOH, controlled environment opens the door for really cool tricks and practicing new things.

[@a320nick]

Well, yeah, but you've got to start somewhere, I mean, neither of us are three years old starting surfing with our parents on a Hawaiian beach......know whadda mean....? You could create and play catch up and then go surf anywhere in the world without looking like you just got off the aeroplane. And, I'll bet they do accommodation.

[@zildjiandrummer1]

also the environmental impact is terrbile when you consider evaporation and having to constantly add more water, when the whole area is in a water shortage and is literally in a desert

[@clobbyhops]

This is awesome y’all 👍👍👍

[@christo138]

These will be everywhere someday

[@axlrozes1777]

when i saw a dude surfing this on FB Reels i thought that was just a random train going by lmao

[@MrLandon23]

I guess when the ocean's dead, we'll have plan B there at ole Kelly's...

[@tayaraine5758]

I was like wow I wanna trie it but then "surf ten miles inland for 10,000 dollars!lol

[@CN-xt7hj]

$10,000.00 per hour, one wave every 4 minutes, $666.66 per wave 😬

[@wowquad4589]

Nice catch. Kelly has joined the dark side I'm afraid.

[@alpine.tarzan]

That's bad math friend

[@bethyolive]

this is in my home town my boy Kelly should cut me a discount

[@loganmain4244]

Lol...na

[@wetyourself6906]

But for real tho I live in lemoore at shits expensive for no reason

[@PlanetJigobotTV]

I thought California had a water problem?

[@Herboutwest]

They do, this is pure greed of a millionaire

[@Glostahdude]

They do.... This is why they have a water problem and why it costs $10k!

[@brodyspiekerman1513]

Herb out west lmao good for him he earned it

[@SwoleakhulTheBlind]

Rich people don’t have a water problem as you can clearly see 💀

[@logantic]

$10,000 that's ridiculous

[@naomiburn5289]

This must have been one of those, “build it and they will come” concepts. Looks like it’s working out.

[@bronk33]

General admission tickets to the Surf Ranch Pro were $99 per day or $199 for a three-day pass.

[@PlanetJigobotTV]

So the $10k is like a private hour I'm guessing

[@jere473]

@@PlanetJigobotTV I'm pretty sure that's just for one event of the year. 1 hour is $10K, 1 day is like $50K and is marketed to national surf teams. Apparently though it's run on 100% soar power and only costs them $11 per wave. Pretty crazy.

[@smalltowndowntown9199]

That’s to watch the event, not to ride.

[@savino3109]

West Coast Best Coast

[@indica_nail_artist_6363]

10,000$ for one hour😳😳 that's crazy

[@jbayne27]

I'm sure there are a MILLION other things people would spend 10k on over this ..

[@Osorio111]

I live a mile from this place and it pretty cool that Lemoore has something like this. BtW Lemoore is middle of nowhere.

[@1twistedcpl6575]

Wondering how many locals will spend $10,000 for an hours play lol

[@Old-Boy_BEbop]

and yet not one local has surfed there...

[@frankbeans5921]

Locals r just farmers n Mexican farm hands so I doubt they'll be surfing it.

[@smalltowndowntown9199]

@@frankbeans5921 there’s a military base, too.

[@Danny-mo7qt]

So this was made for celebrities.

[@TheSmileyTek]

That wave goes on forever. Impressive hydrofoil doohicky. 😊

[@fightington]

When waves are naturally occurring why not make waves with a massive carbon footprint

[@robbanks4356]

Flying around to go surf is destructive to the environment.

[@TriumphAventura]

have you noticed the hydrafoil is solar or are you just mad they are trying to recover its 30 million investment charging 10.000

[@monsterpoo]

@@TriumphAventura solar power machine doesnt negate all the trees and greenscape they destroyed to dig a hole in the ground. removing trees and plants increases carbon footprint because those trees and plants are no longer performing photosynthesis and reducing carbon dioxide by converting it to oxygen this is also why cutting down trees to build solar farms is counterproductive and obviously more for cashing in on "green energy"

[@TriumphAventura]

@@monsterpoo do you fund as much money to the environment as Slater does?

[@nuclearicebreaker]

@@monsterpoo trees and greenscape? in central valley? dog that's farmland any local ecology has long since been destroyed by crops and animal agriculture the latter is way more destructive to the environment than carbon emissions btw

[@anunnakimenagerie]

Wonder if its possible to make a circular wave pool with a wave (or 2 or 3) traveling around it continously

[@hsscope5702]

An Australian company has one. Four simultaneous waves.

[@guitariobros6871]

​@@hsscope5702

[@1twistedcpl6575]

$10,000 an hour? So much for those who make surfing great...the every day Joe.

[@again5162]

I worked there as a cleaner, Chris Hemsworth turned up in a Toyota Prius😂

[@BeasoreBilly]

A lot of comments on the price. The other thing is location. At the time he built it up until this past year, Lemoore was in a drought that caused farmers to have to let some of their land go fallow.

[@0.0-j8o]

They must use that as a holding pool and it's just constantly pumped in and out. Water is precious in the central valley. It's actually a genius way to gain extra revenue.

[@leetraviusmckay2919]

I wish I might pay them 10,000 dollars to teach me how to surf Shannon voice

[@redzoom7857]

LeeTravius Mckay Lmao, as soon as I read the first three words I knew that would be in Shannon voice. 😄

[@pasagin1613]

If I could have 10k, I will give it to the charity!

[@low-keyrighteous9575]

That's nice of you

[@ovenkloven]

If they build this thing in an oval form you are able to surf this NON STOP. Thank me later, Mr. Slater😂

[@helenamartin8285]

The energy needed to power this monster can power the state of California for a year.

[@SkyChaserCom]

Wha??? 10,000 dollars? I was thinking $100 and that would be high. Must be some sort of private club for rich snobs (who happen to surf). The operating expenses cannot be higher than something like indoor skydiving, which is about $700 per hour for usage. There WAS a similar surf ranch (NLand) in Austin Texas where you can surf an hour for $90 and kids $50. But it says its "permanently closed". Not enough rich people in Texas I guess.

[@mainegreengrower4209]

No wonder Cali has no water..

[@joeynice123]

10k an hour....yeah that's gonna really open up & help young people discover & learn the sport. It's rather sad to be honest. Come.on Mr. Slater. You have mad cheddar bro. Open the the ranch up to today's youth for a fee not unobtainable for 99%.

[@alextheskaterdude07]

You would think Kelly Slater would be stoked on spreading the joy of surfing and getting a good barrel to new and seasoned surfers alike. One good wave could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for some. Sharing a moment like this would be gratifying for me. Not to say that he should give sessions out for free to every surfer and their grandmother, but if it is opened to the public at all, at $10,000 an HOUR!? Their should be a happy medium somewhere in between. Maybe not leaving it open to a crowded public, but at least giving average people a chance to experience the magic at a reasonable cost. Somewhere between the cost of covering the investment and outright financial greed.

[@MrBeatboxmasta]

People complaining about the price need to realize that this is not for the common folks who shop at the mall. This is for people who want exclusivity and are willing to pay for it. If you fly coach or even business class, this is not for you.

[@doug6723]

I'm waiting for Vegas to build a large scale version of this.

[@7wnb]

$10,000 for what equates to 12 waves ... that breaks down $833 per wave that you spend 1 min on 🤔 Love the idea, love the park, but I’ll just keep riding the waves in the OBX for FREE

[@oahujuniorgolfassociationc6656]

At 850$ a wave thats some serious pressure.

[@Etid22]

Relax brotha, relax, relax, relax!

[@theimpaler5034]

Go to indo and live there for a year and surf

[@Quinnjavi911]

I was already planning a trip in my head, until I saw $10k. Absolutely ridiculous.

[@HiDave0016]

$10K, per freaking DAY, and that's the base price!! What a wonderful experience for the rich!! And they built it where there isn't any water. Nice!

[@wyskass861]

I'd love to see someone pull up in EV, being environmentally conscious, to this thing. The irony would be priceless.

[@deanguando9950]

An amazing invention.

[@loveforthe90s]

That is so dope

[@91celsior]

I Thought central valley was in a drought

[@222INFINITY]

$10K for 10 minutes of ride time sounds about right, lets do it!!!!!!!

[@greatestever4386]

Sounds like a fucking rip... going to newport for free today lol

[@andre51286]

10k for 1 hour. 1 wave every 4 mins. You only making the next wave if the jet ski takes yiu back

[@joguzman31]

10k to surf there. Dain. The beach is 10 bucks for parking.

[@bobwoods1302]

Is that a typo on the hourly rate? I really can't imagine a surfer spending that much to do something they can basically do for free most other times in California.

[@framfull]

How much is an hour on the red tractor?

[@TheGoonSquadd]

This came out in 2018 but they hype it up like they had multiple PRO events here when it was only one.

[@Herboutwest]

Got the cheapest ugliest land in all of California to make the best free activity in California the most expensive thing u can do for an hr... dont get it

[@freddycugarjr]

I wonder how many waves possible you can ride in a hour?

[@squeeze1321]

$10,000.00 per hour? Nutso

[@fjordking]

Kind of like a wave pool county club with very high dues, wonder is this place has a bar?

[@buttayobread505]

Hope they drop the price a bit once they recoup their investment..

[@dude4173]

They already did recoup. Apparently the waves run off solar now so each wave costs $11 as opposed to 350 or so before.

[@sanfranciscobay]

Does the Wave Machine go in both directions?

[@chrisdrake9934]

Guys it's not 10k for you to go its 10k to rent out the entire place for a day for yourself you can get day passes or season pass for wayyyyy cheaper

[@danielhall6938]

10k for hour long surf session, didn't say for one person though

[@stainlessstove4629]

10 grand? lol wat. You could buy snowboarding gear, go snowboarding many times, surfing gear, drive to a beach many times and still be under that.

[@Rhotz-ix8ll]

This is cool af.

[@davidbrattina8031]

They're so good for world! Congrats to the owner and the celebs that rode this! You guys are great!

[@annesmith2471]

why is this good for the world?

[@Edgeoftown]

U r joking, right?! I have no respect for rich fcuks charging 10.000 for a one hour ride!!

[@jamesbehrje4279]

@@annesmith2471 i think hes being sarcastic.

[@greer-lr2lg]

😂anyone who can't tell sarcasm has no sense of humour either.. just exposed yourself there

[@shinlanten]

Drew Brees, Chris Hemsworth, Shaun White....you know, just your *_"average working class"_* schmo

[@lovelornvoice7909]

i love this

[@dansmith6776]

But daddy I want a surf ranch , I want a surf ranch now

[@siegfried-TV]

surfing 1ft wave is way better than paying 10k USD 🤣

[@deebznutz100]

I don't know why Kelly Slater's pro surfer popped in my head just now but searching it yelded some interesting results! This is awesome. There should be more of these in places we're surfing is impossible. Build a big water park around it. I'd pay!

[@sammychicken3457]

Incredible feat of engineering.

[@ivanlandivar1741]

No doubt the engeneering, design and assamble for that pool with that wonderful wave is awesome, but it's really expensive.

[@petesmith3309]

How much land do I need for a wave pool.