Fans react to news Abu Dhabi will host World Surf League Championship Tour in 2025
The UAE doesn’t spring to mind when you think of premiere surf destinations, but it will host the world tour next year – and fans are not happy.
The United Arab Emirates doesn’t spring to mind when you think of premiere surf destinations, but it will host the Championship Tour next year.
The World Surf League (WSL) has officially announced on Thursday that Surf Abu Dhabi, a cutting-edge wave facility located on Hudayriyat Island, will serve as a key venue for upcoming major surfing events.
Surf Abu Dhabi will be part of the 2025 Championship Tour (CT) and will host the third stop of the 2024 WSL Longboard Tour.
Owned and operated by Modon Holding, Surf Abu Dhabi is powered by the wave technology developed by the Kelly Slater Wave Company (KSWC).
Ryan Crosby, CEO of the WSL, expressed enthusiasm for the addition: “We’re looking forward to seeing what the Surf Abu Dhabi facility can deliver for the world’s best surfers — and the broader surfing world — in the future.”
The partnership between KSWC and Surf Abu Dhabi has led to the development of the first saltwater-based wave pool, as opposed to commonly used chlorine.
The WSL has already held a total of six CT events at wave pools, all at the Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California, between 2018 and 2023.
However, the jury is still out on the case of wave pool tech vs. surfing in the ocean, with the WSL’s announcement reigniting debate.
Fans a plenty lashed the peak sporting body over the announcement, with one stating, “hopefully this drives the nail in the coffin and proves that pools don’t belong on the CT.”
“Money talks eh? You guys have single-handedly destroyed pro surfing,” lamented another.
Another suggested: “Just have a wave pool tour and leave the CT alone – it’s just starting to get better.”
Another simply said: “Sell outs”.
Myriad other fans described wave pool surfing as “boring”, “not it” and a sign for competitive surfing that “the end is nigh”.
It’s widely thought that while wave pool surfing offers consistent waves and can help surfers improve skills and advance board design, it also risks eroding traditional surfing values and a diminished connection to the ocean.
While more accessible, critics argue pools reduce surfing to a mere technical exercise, raising concerns about its impact on the sport’s entire ethos.
UAE’s questionable human rights record has also been brought into the fray by critical fans.
In recent years, Middle Eastern nations have invested billions in sports, including football, golf, boxing, and Formula 1, thought to be attempts to diversify their oil-dependent economies and boost global influence.
Dr David Smerdon, an economics lecturer from the University of Queensland recently noted, “Investing in sports is economically sound as it buffers their economies from oil market shocks.”
Other high-profile moves in the region include Saudi Arabia’s purchase of Newcastle United and Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
While the investments improve international standing, Dr Smerdon argued they also face accusations of “sportswashing.”
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