Kelly Slater Surf Ranch

Surf Ranch is Kelly Slater Wave Company's original wave pool, set among farm fields in California's Central Valley at Lemoore, more than 100 miles from the ocean. Its wave travels over 2,300 feet with rides up to a minute long, and KSWaveCo describes it as the longest open-barrel, high-performance human-made wave in the world. It is the only wave system certified by the World Surf League for elite competition. Visits are arranged privately through the company rather than booked online, and there is no published price.

A 6-foot-plus barreling wave runs the length of the basin, a former waterski lake 2,300 feet long and 500 feet wide holding about 15 million gallons, which makes it the largest wave pool by water area. Wave profiles are set for each heat according to the surfers' levels. The CT2 is the Championship Tour wave the Ranch is known for: the fastest and hardest, with a 12 to 15 second barrel section through the middle of the basin and a fast end barrel, one surfer per wave. The CT3 is a more forgiving hollow wave without the middle barrel, the CT4 is a transition profile with the end barrel softened, and the Waikiki or Intermediate wave is a thigh-high peeler used by beginners, intermediates and groups. At the north end of the basin, small rollers of 10 to 15 seconds form as the main wave fades, which is where many first-timers start. Up to six surfers are in the basin per session for the main wave, with a priority surfer taking off at the peak on each wave.

Advanced surfers after one of the longest barrels anywhere, and groups with mixed abilities: the operator runs thigh-high Waikiki waves and north-end rollers for beginners alongside the CT profiles, with coaches in the water and video review. The limit is access and cost rather than skill level.

Surf Ranch publishes no rate card and has no public booking page. Visits are organized through the company for groups, with registration and waivers handled by the group organizer. Lodging, meals, coaching and video review are part of the on-site experience.

Bring or borrow boards suited to fast, hollow waves; the Ranch also has a Firewire quiver and Rip Curl wetsuits for guests. A helmet is required on a hard board for first-timers progressing past the intermediate and CT4 waves. Every guest, surfing or not, completes registration and a waiver through the group organizer before arrival. Uber and Lyft are limited in the area, so plan on a car. The address is 18556 Jackson Ave, Lemoore, CA 93245.