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A heatwave in the desert. Wisps of psychedelic wind billowing off the freeway, like ghosts stretching their ethereal tendrils earthbound from the depths of the netherworld. A temperature on my car’s dash reading 117 Fahrenheit.
Perhaps fitting, I suppose, for the surf trip I was embarking on. I was on my way out to Palm Desert, to ride the manmade waves of DSRT Surf – California’s newest surf lagoon, and the Golden State’s first featuring Wavegarden technology. It’s safe to say that this was not your average surf trip. But then again, in the modern age of surf parks, this is the new reality.
The lagoon, upon arrival, was a literal oasis in the desert. It felt almost biblical to see a liquid haven amidst the arid wasteland. But this was made by man, not deities.
“Once somebody starts playing God, sooner or later, things will get out of hand.”
Again, so it goes in the synthetic surfing Gold Rush...man playing god, and all. And things did get out of hand, in a sense, but not in an apocalyptic, Book of Revelation sort of way.
If you’ve been anywhere on the internet lately, you’ve seen the clips – countless of ‘em – featuring the world’s top professional surfers making the pilgrimage to DSRT Surf before its grand opening,. The hype is high, almost inescapable. The pros are testing out the tech; they’re ripping turn waves, tucking into below-pool-level slab barrels, and launching off perfectly-crafted air sections; beginners are cruising on knee-high rollers, intermediate surfers are carving forgiving faces, and everything in between.
DSRT Surf boasts a whopping 1,000 waves per hour – and a wide variety of options.
As the lagoon prepares to open to the public, I was graciously granted a sneak peek. And for the next four hours, I surfed a full menu of waves until my arms and legs turned to desert-crisp noodles. By the end of it, absolutely fried, I reflected – this one is something different, and it will certainly make its mark on surfing in the years to come.
So, before the doors officially breach, and the hordes flood the lagoon to experience to waves, here’s everything you need to know about DSRT Surf.
Welcome to the Coachella Valley’s New Oasis
California’s surf scene is about to experience a massive paradigm shift with the late summer 2026 opening of DSRT Surf. Located at the iconic Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, California, the hotly-anticipated and justly-hyped venue features a massive 5.5-acre Wavegarden Cove surf lagoon.
It’s twice the size of Virginia Beach, Virginia’s Atlantic Surf Park. And it shows. The lagoon is a sprawling vista, filled with neon turquoise water, making you squint from the inside section to see the takeoff zone. Translation: the waves are long.
DSRT Surf is currently the largest surf lagoon in all of North America. Framed beautifully by desert mountains, it is one of the only places in the world where visitors can experience ocean-quality waves right in the middle of a desert environment.
This technically ambitious project marks Wavegarden's second facility in the United States. Whether you are a total beginner looking for premium lessons and coaching, an intermediate striving to progress, or a seasoned pro trying to hit the same lip over-and-over and master a world-class maneuver for your bag of tricks, the facility is designed to offer highly consistent, customizable, and surfable waves for every single skill level.
The Ultimate Wave Menu
Surfers visiting DSRT Surf can look forward to the largest and most diverse "Wave Menu" ever developed by Wavegarden. Thanks to advanced fluid engineering, the lagoon can pump out up to 1,000 waves per hour and boasts a definitive catalogue of more than 60 distinct wave types.
Per the team at Wavegarden, here’s a few of the highlights:
- Turns to Barrel: “One of the favorite wave families that combine a first section ideal for linking turns with a final barrel section suitable for intermediates to experts.”
- Air Training: “A new offer of aerial-specific waves, configured with a short, 30-second frequency and ramps, designed to let surfers hone their air skills and get the most waves possible during group sessions.”
- Twister: “The most powerful, wide, and technical barrel designed by Wavegarden to date. This is an extreme wave created to push the limits of even the most experienced tuberiders.”
For my session, we began with a variety of turn waves. The takeoff is easy and soft, and then there’s a gentle lip for hacks, whacks, and carves.
Then, once my group got the hang of things, we cranked up the volume – moving from turn waves, to turn-to-barrel waves, and then just straight-up reeling tube waves. One of which was modeled after the famed Indonesian pointbreak, Desert Point.
“Don’t even stall,” the lifeguard said. Just set a line, hold on, and enjoy the ride.
Pro Surfer Approved and Tested
Before its official public debut, the lagoon was thoroughly tested and endorsed by a heavy contingent of California’s surfing elite, including legends like Rob Machado, Taylor Knox, Damien Hobgood, Josh Kerr, Kolohe Andino, and the Colapinto brothers.
Wave pool wizard Jacob "Zeke" Szekely praised the setup, noting that it features about seven incredible waves for turns, five for barrels, and roughly 12 variations for aerials, calling it “the best wave pool in the world.”
Zeke, it seems, has practically been living at the lagoon since it began making waves.
During my session, Dane Reynolds, the whole Chapter 11 crew, Brett Simpson, and a healthy crop of young up-and-coming surfers were putting the wave to the test.
John Luff, Co-Founder of Beach Street Holdings, remarked that the facility is an "absolute machine for making people happy.” He was blown away by the power of the barrels, noting that the tube is so exceptionally long that it actually gives surfers enough time to take a conscious breath while inside. Luff wasn’t wrong – the tube-time is substantial.
Related: Watch: New CA Desert Surf Park Pumps 1,000 Waves Per Hour
A Revolution in Sustainable Surf Tech
A massive surf lagoon in the parched Coachella Valley is a challenge.
Hence, it requires an uncompromising commitment to environmental sustainability, and DSRT Surf delivers with an innovative water optimization program.
Through its unique "Turf for Surf" initiative, the complex successfully replaced 71 acres of traditional golf turf with drought-resistant desert vegetation. The entire project is completely water self-sufficient, sourcing its water from a natural well over 200 meters deep to avoid putting any strain on the public supply network.
Because it operates as a highly efficient closed circuit, the lagoon's annual water consumption is incredibly low—equivalent to the water used by just 1.3 holes of a standard golf course.
Additionally, the groundwater naturally flows out at 24°C (75.2°F), allowing the lagoon to easily maintain a comfortable and efficient water temperature between 25 and 27°C (77 and 80.6°F) regardless of the local desert climate.
During my session, an LED screen in the lagoon—yes, they have those—read an air temp in the 110s, and the water a balmy 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Even well after dark.
Beyond the Wave: The Barefoot Luxury Experience
DSRT Surf is designed to be much more than just a high-tech surf lagoon; it is a full-scale luxury resort that seamlessly balances active living with maximum comfort.
Once construction is fully complete, the surrounding beach club will boast a premium three-pool viewing deck equipped with private cabanas, a restaurant, and a bar.
For dry-land recreation, visitors will enjoy an on-site skate park, yoga areas, pickleball courts, and immediate access to two championship Desert Willow golf courses.
Looking ahead to future development phases, the complex will expand its real estate footprint to include a 139-room hotel operating under a relaxed "barefoot luxury" concept, alongside 57 private luxury villas.
This comprehensive blend of world-class surf engineering and upscale hospitality positions the facility as a highly unique, all-in-one destination resort right in the heart of the desert.
The Verdict?
Over the years, amidst today’s surf park boom, I’ve been lucky enough to test a handful of the prominent technologies. All of them are different; they all have their own quirks and perks. From Slater’s Abu Dhabi monster, to the scrappy and fun Palm Springs Surf Club, to one of the first high-performance arenas with American Wave Machines’ Waco Surf.
A few other one-night stands in between. But this was my first tryst with Wavegarden.
I imagine one day, surfers will be diehard to their specific brand – somewhat similar to the way some folks are tequila drinkers, and some might be partial to Wavegarden tech; others stick to whiskey, and they might prefer Endless Surf; and some only sip vodka martinis, and accordingly will be Kelly Slater Wave Company loyalists.
Time will tell. And in no way do those specific liquors reflect the intricacies of the various wave-making technologies – that was merely a real-world analogy.
But I do know this: Wavegarden has produced a model that offers a lot of waves, tons of variety, and something for everyone. The 1,000 waves an hour is a staggering stat. It’s also a great business model. More waves, more people, more customers, more money.
During my session, I shared waves with one of DSRT Surf’s owners. Another surfer said to him: “You should just keep this as a private, secret spot!”
To which, he replied: “Are you kidding? I wanna make money!”
Fair enough.
The late Steve Jobs allegedly once said: “My favorite things in life don't cost any money. It's really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time.”
But what did he know.
Anyway, after four hours in the water, I felt like I had surfed every day for a month straight. And I had caught probably the same amount of waves – quality waves – without sitting in the lineup, battling other surfers, waiting for the tide to drop or rise, and so on.
Gods be damned; DSRT Surf might just be heaven on earth. Albeit, manmade.
I was sore for two days after. Sore, but still smiling.
