Palm Desert, California – The new DSRT Surf park in California's desert has officially debuted, with professional surfers testing its artificial waves and one proclaiming it the "best wave pool in the world." The expansive attraction, powered by Wavegarden technology, is scheduled to open to the public in late summer.
Recently, DSRT Surf held its inaugural super session, inviting prominent surfers including Jacob "Zeke" Szekely, Rob Machado, Griffin Colapinto, and Skip McCullough. Josh Kerr, a former World Tour star and partner in the project, guided the athletes through the lagoon's various wave settings.
Surfers utilized the facility's capabilities, executing maneuvers such as carving turns, riding barrels, and launching aerials. The Wavegarden system is designed to generate approximately 1,000 waves per hour, offering a range of conditions from gentle rollers suitable for beginners to challenging, high-performance waves for advanced riders.
Szekely described the experience as exceeding his expectations. "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," he stated. "That was insane. We were testing air waves that Wavegarden has on offer, and checked out the whole wave menu."
He detailed the variety of waves available, noting, "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."
Szekely's assessment was direct: "Best wave pool in the world," he told the outlet.
DSRT Surf aims to establish itself in the growing market of artificial surf parks, which have seen openings in locations such as Texas, Australia, and Abu Dhabi. Its appeal lies in offering consistent waves under year-round desert sunshine, within a accessible distance for Southern California's large surfing population.
Scheduled to open in late summer 2026, DSRT Surf will feature North America's largest Wavegarden-powered surf lagoon, spanning 5.5 acres. The Wavegarden Cove system employs 52 modules to produce up to 1,000 consistent, ocean-like waves hourly, catering to all skill levels.
Beyond the surf lagoon, the DSRT Surf project includes plans for a 139-room hotel described as "barefoot luxury," 57 private villas, dining establishments, yoga facilities, pickleball courts, and leisure pools, envisioning a comprehensive resort destination in the Coachella Valley.
Kerr previously expressed his belief that the development would be a significant draw for surfers, citing "the opportunity it creates for so many surfers to experience consistent, high-quality waves in a destination setting."
This project joins a burgeoning inland surf scene in the Coachella Valley, with the existing Palm Springs Surf Club and the upcoming Coral Mountain luxury project also contributing to the area's growing reputation for artificial wave facilities.