Writer/Surfer

The Inertia

As you may or may not (but probably do) know, a select group of the best and brightest on the world tour are gathered today in Lemoore, California at Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch. As we reported yesterday, the premise was confirmed to be a “test” event. No press they said. But, Elon Musk was rumored to be on the guest list.

Information (and footage) is coming out in drips and drops, and while we’ve been told that “content will be made available later this week” for the viewing pleasure of the general public, you can bet that any camera angles that might inadvertently reveal KS Wave Co.’s secret sauce IP will be stripped. Can it be assumed that’s the reason for the secrecy? That this wave pool race is too white-hot for a live stream, patents have yet to be fully issued, etc.?

According to the WSL’s live blog of the event, the test is to determine what future broadcasts might look like. That’s why no live.

“The aim of The Test is to determine what a future broadcast will look like, so while our broadcast team is here on site experimenting, the mission is to explore new options, many of which aren’t ready for ‘prime time’ coverage,” the WSL said.

The larger story here, though, is that not even Kelly could pass on the opportunity to surf his own wave – foot injury be damned. He also elected for a yellow jersey. Nice touch.

Here’s some other footage of the wave that’s hit social media:

Thank you ! @wsl @kswaveco It's not a dream! Obrigado , não é um sonho! By : @penrose73

A post shared by Filipe Toledo (@filipetoledo) on

Wake up call

A post shared by Hobo (@thesurfinghobo) on

G'day from the SurfRanch

A post shared by Hobo (@thesurfinghobo) on

@joelparko in a sick barrel…."the test" thanx @wsl @kellyslater Surf Ranch

A post shared by @bobhurley on

 
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