Surf Abu Dhabi to open in October on Hudayriyat Island

Wave park is designed for surfers of all skill levels, from beginners to elite

Kelly Slater, lauded as history's greatest surfer, helped design Surf Abu Dhabi. Photo: Modon

Surf Abu Dhabi, the UAE's newest attraction, is set to open to the public in October, its developers have revealed.

The artificial wave park on Hudayriyat Island will feature the world's longest ride, largest barrel as well as highest man-made wave, and is designed for surfers of all skill levels, from beginners to elite.

It was built by Abu Dhabi real estate developer Modon Properties, which collaborated with Kelly Slater, regarded as one of the world's greatest surfers.

Slater, 52, praised the park when he was given an exclusive look in November with a group of champion surfers.

“I’ve surfed hundreds of incredible waves across the world and this wave in Abu Dhabi stacks up well against some of the best waves on Earth,” the 11-time World Surf League champion said at the time. “I’ve drawn on that travelling surf education to design the wave at Surf Abu Dhabi.”

Given the capital is not known for its surfing, Slater said being asked to design and build a wave in Abu Dhabi “is something I’ve never believed would become a reality”.

Surf Abu Dhabi will “provide endless fun for so many people, creating an opportunity to surf an incredible wave in a special part of the world for both experienced and beginning surfers”, he added.

Besides being a top draw for amateur surfers, Surf Abu Dhabi will also have the capacity to host major international surf competitions and give professional surfers the perfect conditions to train or compete, said Jeff Fleeher, president of Kelly Slater Wave Company.

“The KSWC Team is thrilled to launch our partnership and Kelly’s world-class wave with Modon at Surf Abu Dhabi,” Fleeher said. “It’s our dream to share the stoke of surfing with the world and we are excited to help take the region’s surf culture to new levels.”