NewsJuly 28, 2026·5 min read

Chasing the Gnarliest Wave Pool Barrel Ever

Zeke Szekely links up with Josh and Sierra Kerr, the Colapinto brothers, and Cole Houshmand at a stealth new wave pool project — and the barrels get seriously deep.

Flat vector illustration of a surfer boosting a huge air above a teal wave pool wave with palm trees and coral desert mountains in the background.

When the world's best wave pool surfers get together, something special happens.

In his latest adventure, Jacob "Zeke" Szekely headed to one of the most exciting new artificial wave projects in development, where he linked up with Don Rady, one of the visionaries behind the project, alongside the team at Beach Street Development, including John Luff and Doug Sheres.

What followed was exactly what you'd expect when you combine world-class technology with world-class surfers.

An all-star lineup, wave after wave

For session after session, Zeke found himself threading perfectly draining barrels alongside an incredible lineup that included Josh Kerr, Sierra Kerr, Cole Houshmand, Griffin Colapinto, Crosby Colapinto, and several other elite surfers. Every wave seemed to push the limits a little further, showcasing just how far modern wave pool technology has come.

Why wave pools accelerate progression

Unlike the ocean, where surfers spend hours waiting for the right wave, today's cutting-edge wave pools allow riders to repeatedly challenge the exact same sections. That consistency creates an environment where progression happens at an incredible pace — whether it's perfecting deep barrels, refining technique, or simply experiencing waves that many surfers only dream about.

For Zeke, known for constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in wave pools, this session wasn't just another surf trip. It was a glimpse into the future of surfing — where technology and wave design are creating experiences that rival some of the best waves on Earth.

A preview of what's coming

If you've ever wondered what the next generation of wave pools looks like, this video offers an exciting preview. From flawless tubes to an all-star cast of surfers, it's hard not to imagine how projects like this will continue to reshape surf culture for generations to come.

Watch the full video and prepare to get serious barrel envy.

Written and hand-verified by Wave Pool Party.

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