California’s huge new desert surf park seen in action for the first time: ‘Best in the world’

California’s massive new desert surf park has finally made its debut, with one surfing star hailing it as the “best wave pool in the world” after helping to test-drive the long-awaited attraction.

DSRT Surf, the expansive new Palm Desert oasis set to open in late summer, recently threw its first super session, welcoming some of surfing’s biggest stars to experience the Wavegarden-powered lagoon before the public gets a chance to dive in, according to Surfer.

The invite list included Jacob “Zeke” Szekely, Rob Machado, Griffin Colapinto, Skip McCullough and several other standout surfers, while former World Tour star Josh Kerr — a partner in the project — guided riders through the lagoon’s different wave settings and demonstrated what the facility can do.

The surfers put the artificial waves through a range of settings, carving turns, riding barrels and launching huge airs as the system churned out wave after wave.

Designed to generate roughly 1,000 waves per hour, the technology can create everything from beginner-friendly rollers to steep, high-performance waves that can challenge elite surfers.

Szekely said the experience was unlike anything he had imagined.

“Never in my life did I think that I would be testing air waves in the desert with my best friends, and coached by my favorite surfer of all time, Josh Kerr.

“That was insane. We were testing air waves that Wavegarden has on offer, and checked out the whole wave menu,” he said.

“Wavegarden has, like, seven amazing turn waves, five amazing barrel waves, and even more waves that we’re going to test out later. Then, there’s, like, 12 different air waves. Of course there’s waves for beginners, too.”

His verdict was pretty simple — “Best wave pool in the world,” Szekely told the outlet.

The praise comes as artificial surf parks continue to open around the globe, from Texas and Australia to Abu Dhabi, but DSRT Surf is hoping to carve out its own niche with year-round desert sunshine, dependable waves, and a location within driving distance of Southern California’s massive surfing community.

Opening in late summer 2026, DSRT Surf will feature North America’s largest Wavegarden-powered surf lagoon at 5.5 acres.

The Wavegarden Cove system uses 52 modules to generate multiple wave types simultaneously, producing up to 1,000 consistent, ocean-like waves every hour for beginners, intermediate surfers, and advanced riders alike.

But the Palm Desert project is aiming to be more than just a surf park.

Plans also include a 139-room “barefoot luxury” hotel, 57 private villas, restaurants, yoga spaces, pickleball courts and leisure pools, creating a destination resort in the middle of the Coachella Valley.

Josh Kerr previously told Surfer he believes the development could become a major draw for surfers.

“What excites me most is the opportunity it creates for so many surfers to experience consistent, high-quality waves in a destination setting,” he explained.

This development rides the wave of a growing inland surf scene in the Coachella Valley, where the Palm Springs Surf Club already draws crowds and another luxury project, Coral Mountain, is on the horizon.

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