My Surf Ranch Visit - Kelly Slater Wavepool

I was invited to surf at the Surf Ranch (Kelly Slater Wave pool) this past Saturday by Geoff, a cardiologist out of Irvine CA. He found my channel and generously offered me a spot in a few of the night heats.

I have to say, by far, leaps and bounds, the best surf trip I have ever taken. The only thing that could have made it better was if my brother decided to surf. Anyways, let me know what you think.

Had a few more points to make but forgot to mention it in the video. One is that unlike a ocean wave, you can't really visually see what is going to happen or dictate the pace of the wave, but if you surf it enough, I guess you would know that vs see that. That part is very interesting to say the least.

It was an amazing experience and glad I got to do it. I truly hope, that some if not all of you get to do it someday as well. I know that if this channel ever gets big enough, I will do my best to pay it forward.

Thanks Geoff for inviting me.
Thanks Noel for driving up with me.
Thanks WSL and Surf Ranch staff for making it an amazing experience. Thanks Kelly Slater for building it. BTW, if you need pointers on how "not" to get barreled, call me.

#SurfRanch
#KellySlater
#WavePool

[tym]

That was a great review! Fun and a good discussion of the whole experience including the wave. Keep it up.

[larryhawes]

WOW Great review and you never looked silly!! I'm an older (67) surfer but still hope to get there one day.

[biff]

Solid stuff as always. Your vlog is great. No frills. Minimal “hey look at me!”, beyond what is inherent when you step into the internet. This was nice to see the surf ranch from a boots on the ground perspective. Fascinating to know the ski guy give cues. I’ve always wondered about that since it does look like the sections kinda just happen without setting up like they do in the ocean. Next time bring the Seaside for sure. It looks like that wave... there’s really no reason to ever get caught on too high of a line to need a ton of rocker... especially when the guy is calling out sections to you from the ski. Hindsight is 20/20 though and regardless it looks like you had a blast.

[twinfin]

Rite on. Most honest, realistic and humble assessment of the surf ranch Ive seen. You did well on the water. Seems like it would be hard to really tap in to and get wired like your home break to fully enjoy because of the pressures. Wave limits for one. Having your daily driver seems to be key as well. Good job mate!

[kimhellgren]

So stoked for you man! I saw a couple of your videos a few months ago and started planning for my own YT channel. Now I'm even more stoked! I hope that some day I'll have content as genuine as yours. Thank you!

[gzill_a]

Unreal. The night has to throw you off a little bit right? i didn't even know they ran at night... that is crazy. You did great. We all know its way harder than it looks. 🤙

[nottherealmccoy]

Fantastic video, what an insane experience! You killed it Thomye! And that was a BARREL!! So happy for you! YEEWW!! :)

[MrAeroled]

Man looks like you had fun...maybe as more wave pools develop the price will go down LOL. whats cool is... lets say in 20 years they make more of them...well you can always say you rode the orginal ground breaker wave pool. this might be the best a wave pools ever get. they say the price for all the land is too much especially in a populated place, so wed be lucky to get pools half that size in more populated places i guess. I bet youll get more invites too then you can surf the seaside. you surfed smart...you gotta feel it out and enjoy the flow...just like the ocean when we get that epic wave we dont wanna fall going for a big crave. but you had some nice rob machado looking turns nice and relaxed

[Felix-mrvs]

Very cool, happy you got the opportunity, you certainly deserve it! And nope you didn't look silly at all. As perfect as it looks, to me this wave always appears as if it reels off a bit faster than most long barreling ocean waves, no matter if reef, point, or sand. Even the pros seem to be fighting to not fall behind after manoeuvres in most sections.

[youngyarnzy]

You must be psyched! Camera angle didn’t do the barrels justice but we got the idea, dialled mate 🤙🏽

[terenceingram]

Great review. That insight in the angle of the water for the barrel is very interesting. Makes me think how many bazzas I have thought I was in the past but actually wasn't. Might need to watch my claim game. Not sure if you have reviewed the NB2. I reckon that would be interesting. I have the same coffee machine. Love it.

[chucks]

Awesome video Thomye! Love the very real video and commentary. I certainly feel like I surf way too much on my front foot from years of longboarding and fear of failure is all too real. Let me know if you figure out how to make progress on either those. Super stoked to see you out their charging and looked like some great waves to me! I know surf ranch is expensive, but can't help but think if I could surf that for a week I'd make a ton of progress!

[larrydowling]

I have totally different approach when it comes to surfing waves pool or waves in general, esp on surf trips. I understand not wanting to fall, esp when you're paying for waves but tomorrow is not guaranteed. I try to charge every wave like it's my last. I've surfed Typhoon Lagoon twice and have been on many surf trips. My trips to Costa Rica really makes you juggle charging big waves and going for the move or holding back when you're in the middle of nowhere and miles from the nearest hospital or medical center. 🤙😷🇺🇲

[philiprafferty]

Great experience for you. Though I’d say your happy to get back to some no pressure sessions at your local break.

[davidn.]

Awesome! Congrats. I want to know more about that expresso machine. Dims? J/k.

[bajansurfer]

Wow, I definitely have to put The Ranch on my bucket list. I've surfed 2 pools to date - Snowdonia in Wales and The WAVE in Bristol. Both located in the UK. Great description of your experience. Waco is the next pool I want to try.

[boltup]

Sick Tommy. Imo you were barreled and made it out. You're not as deep in there as pros but still got barreled. Give yourself some credit. You surf bolsa chica as your everyday wave!

So...was this free? Or did you pay $5000? Did you think it was worth $5000? I'm not sure what I would do if invited again...

[GuiKeller]

Woow! Congratulations on surfing the surf ranch, not many have had the opportunity. Hook me up! :D Great review of the wave though and your thoughts on how it breaks and how differs to surfing in the ocean. I am in Adelaide (Australia) and we have not had good waves in a while and I was planning to go to the one in Melbourne but hopefully one day I get to surf on the surf ranch too! Keep it up

[DeforestLCooper]

Nice review Thomas. It’s interesting to watch and hear different perspectives on the KS pool. The consensus seems to be that butterflies and nervousness get the best of you at this place. Lol.

Did you take your solo shot? One of my main concerns (if I ever get the opportunity to go there) is if my solo shot will work. Did you have an opportunity to set it up?

[thebensman]

Epic video! Too bad spots like that aren’t accessible to the average Joe💰