Prince Harry shows off wild surfing skills
Prince Harry has displayed some seriously impressive surfing moves in California but fans have claimed the carefree footage is a sign that the royal will never return to Britain.
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Prince Harry has shown off some seriously impressive surfing skills in California.
The 40-year-old prince can be seen expertly cutting across some major waves at surfing superstar Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in Leemore, California, which is located more than 150 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean.
The video was posted to Tahitian pro surfer Raimana Van Bastolaer’s Instagram account.
Captioning the post, Van Bastolaer, who is renowned within the surfing community for his big wave surfing exploits in Tahiti, said: “In Tahiti, we still call you Prince Harry. But at Surf Ranch, it’s my brother. It was an honour to have you surf with me and Kelly Slater.”
Beginning by riding alongside Van Bastolaer’s jet ski, Prince Harry pulls away as the wave begins to appear, before crouching atop of his board.
The Duke of Sussex then finds his balance, and under the instruction of Van Bastolaer, who yells encouragement, adeptly negotiates the surging wave for almost one minute.
The wave is the central feature of Slater’s surf ranch and is a man-made, first of its kind, 1.8-metre barrelling wave that lasts for up to 700 metres.
Dubbed the best artificial wave in the world, it is still the only one to receive World Surf League accreditation, meaning it is fit to stage elite level competitions.
Fans of the prince commented on the post, saying the royal is living his “California dream life” and implied such passions will mean he’ll never come back to the UK.
Prince Harry relocated to California in 2020 with wife Meghan Markle who is believed to have bought him surf lessons for his 36th birthday.
The Duke has also been seen since cycling along Malibu’s famous Surfrider Beach.
Impressed fans have become “obsessed” with Prince Harry’s new surfing skills.
On the social media platform X, @PhlyGerl simply wrote: “Prince Harry in America living his California dream life.”
Another said: “Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex surfing and thriving in California.”
A third said: “Is there anything this man can’t do? #PrinceHarry is a true Californian now and this is supposed to be the man who’s plotting to come back to the UK?”
One fan exclaimed: “Meghan’s man, aka Prince Harry, is full of surprises! He’s an honorary Californian now.”
Another royal fan was in shock at the sight of the Prince on the California waves.
They said: “I can’t believe I wake up to this … Prince Harry surfing. Man, I mean wow.”
He has reportedly become close friends with Slater and Van Bastolaer during his time in the US.
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