Zeke Lau would definitely be invited. Photo: YouTube
“There was a nuclear war. A few years from now, all this, this whole place, everything, it’s gone. Just gone. There were survivors. Here, there. Nobody even knew who started it. It was the machines.”
Now, I’m not sure if Kyle Reese, the main character from the original Terminator, was talking about the post-surf apocalypse. However, with the current Championship Tour schedule, and more specifically the WSL Finals at Trestles, not floating everyone’s boat, there may come a time when the machines take over. It’s not hard to imagine a breakaway tour (that old chestnut!) held exclusively in man-made waves. If there was actually a 2026 Wave Pool World Tour (note that at this time, there is not), we think the schedule would look like this (we’ve got to give sponsors time to plan, right?).
The Samsung Seoul Shootout
Where: Wave Park, Sihueng, Seoul South, Korea
Technology: Wavegarden
Why: With Asia overlooked as a CT destination, the WWT comes out strong with a huge opener in the heart of downtown Seoul. K-Pop legends BlackPink play live to the 40,000-strong crowd, with 16 surfers battling for the 8 billion South Korean won in prize money (a single South Korean won is currently worth around 0.00075 to the US dollar).
Wildcards: Jacob Szlekey, an early South Korean visitor, gets an invite along with the South Korean national champ, who learned to surf here.
The Panasonic Plunger Pro, Queensland
Where: Surf Lakes, Yeppoon
Technology: Surf Lakes technology
Why: With the Snapper Rocks sand bypass scheme stopped by the Save Kirra activist group, the QLD Government pumps its considerable sports event budget into the lake in Northern Queensland.
Wildcards: Ambassador Occy is an obvious invite and is joined by three-time World Champion Mick Fanning. Father and daughter pairing Josh and Sierra Kerr are also in the mix.
The Sovereign Wealth Fund Championship
Where: Surf Abu Dhabi
Technology: Surf Ranch
Why: Having conquered football (or soccer) the Abu Dhabi government sets its eyes on surfing. An upgrade on the Surf Ranch (RIP), the saltwater pool adds a point of difference, while Kelly Slater adds some stardust.
Wildcards: Kelly Slater, obvi, hasn’t retired and is determined to claim another World Title. The soccer star Ronaldo is a surprise entrant, given he only learned to surf in the pool last year. Joe Rogan, in the Joe Turpel role, is another shock.
Corona Palm Springs Pro-Am
Where: Palm Springs Surf Club
Technology: Surf Loch
Why: Having held its first event with the Rip Curl Gromsearch in January, 2024, the Surf Loch prototype has become the go-to surf spot for the cool crew ever since. Massive air sections and a sick bowl mean it is one of the best pound-for-pound artificial waves on the planet.
Wildcards: PSSC regulars Blair Conklin and Kalani Robb switch in, whilst often switching the fins out. Mason and Coco Ho are a must, while Taro Watanabe brings his silk to the desert.
The Texaco Waco Rodeo
Where: Waco, Texas
Technology: Perfect Swell
Why: One of the forerunners of the wave-pool arms race, Waco counts as heritage in this new space. The air wave, aka The Ramp, has seen some of the biggest innovations in aerial surfing, while the Wedge throws real barrels.
Wildcards: Seth Moniz, famous for his flip here, pre-apocalypse back in 2018 is an obvious invitee. Texas-born teen Erin Brooks will be the event, and crowd, favorite. Chippa Wilson, too, returns to spin to win.
The Swatch Swiss Surf Off
Where: Alaia Bay, Sion, Switzerland
Technology: Wavegarden
Why: Cold water surfing is under-represented on the WWT. In six-degree waters, in front of the snow-covered Swiss Alps, the 5/4 wetsuits, gloves, hoodies and boots throw new challenges for competitors.
Wildcards: Leo Fioravanti has a long-lasting relationship with Alaia Bay and the Italian is box office gold in Europe. Swiss surfers Fantin Habashi and Liam Sayhoun will be the local hopes.
The Oi MEO Guarano Caruima Surfland Pro
Where: Surfland Brasil, Santa Carina
Technology: Wavegarden
Why: A relatively latecomer to the wave pool race, Brazil has put its foot on the gas. Surfland is a privately owned club, and part of a real estate package, but at its opening had all the latest bells and whistles of Wavegarden’s 52 modules.
Wildcards: World champions Gabriel Medina’s and Filipe Toledo’s appearance fees of a million bucks, and a four-bedroom condominium, were met. Recently naturalized Brazilian Jack Robinson also will be flying the flag.
