Kelly Slater Surf Ranch: The Complete Guide
Quick facts
| Wave tech | Kelly Slater Wave Co. · hydrofoil |
|---|---|
| Session length | 60 minutes |
| Wave height (max) | 6.2 ft / 1.9 m |
| Waves per hour | 15 |
| Skill levels | Intermediate → Pro |
| Public pricing | from $12000 per session |
| Boards | Bring your own quiver. Most groups bring three to five boards per surfer for different sections. |
| Water | freshwater · Warm April to October, wetsuit season November to March · wetsuit rentals on site |
| Nearest airport | FAT (Fresno Yosemite International), 45 min drive |
| Address | 18556 Jackson Ave, Lemoore, CA 93245 |
| Last verified | July 2026 |
Wave settings and pricing
The Right
50-second right-hand tube with three distinct sections. Two barrels and a ramp.
Book The RightPrivate session
Whole pool, up to 24 surfers. Full-day buyout runs $50K to $70K depending on season and includes lodging on-site. Works out around $2,000 to $3,000 per surfer for a full group.
from $50,000/hr
Book privateAround Kelly
Where to sleep, eat, and burn the hours between sessions. Hand-picked and honest.
Stay
- Surf Ranch on-site cabinson site
Private cabins on the property, included with most buyouts.
- Hampton Inn Lemoore15 min
Closest reliable hotel, 10 minutes away.
- Visalia Marriott45 min
Nicer base in Visalia, 45 minutes east.
Eat
- On-site chef serviceon site
Buyouts include catering; day sessions have a food truck program.
- The Vintage Press (Visalia)50 min
Old-school California fine dining if you want to celebrate a session.
Do
- Sequoia National Park2 hr
The world's biggest trees, two hours east. Worth a rest day.
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Getting there
Kelly Slater Surf Ranch is at 18556 Jackson Ave, Lemoore, CA 93245.
- FAT · Fresno Yosemite International45 min drive
- SFO · San Francisco International210 min drive
- LAX · Los Angeles International240 min drive
Best time to visit
Late spring through early fall for warm water and reliable weather. Contest windows (WSL Surf Ranch Pro in September) are the only time the public can spectate on-site.
Events
The technology
Kelly Slater Surf Ranch runs on Kelly Slater Wave Co. (KSWC) — a hydrofoil system from Los Angeles. A submerged hydrofoil sled is pulled down a track at roughly 18 mph. The moving foil displaces water, and a precisely contoured lake bottom shapes that displacement into a rifling, section-linking barrel that runs the full length of the pool. Because each pass is one giant wave, the pool produces ~15 waves an hour — the lowest volume of any tech, and the longest, most perfect ride.
Kelly Slater's Wave Company revealed the pool to the world in December 2015 with the now-iconic ‘Perfect Wave’ clip. Built around a hydrofoil sled that rides a submerged track at ~18 mph over a contoured bottom, the Ranch hosted the WSL Championship Tour for six seasons and remains the benchmark for man-made barrels. Private-only outside contest windows — a full-day buyout runs $50K–$70K.
Frequently asked about Kelly Slater Surf Ranch
+Can the public book Surf Ranch?
No. Surf Ranch is private. Access is by full-day buyout ($50K to $70K), corporate event, or invited pro session. Public spectator tickets are only sold during WSL contest windows.
+How long is a wave at Surf Ranch?
Roughly 50 seconds, running about 700 yards (640 m) from start to end section — by far the longest man-made wave in the world.
+How many waves per hour does Surf Ranch produce?
About 15 waves per hour. Compared to Cove or PerfectSwell pools, it trades volume for length and quality — every wave is a full 50-second point break.
+How much does it cost to buy out Surf Ranch?
Full-day buyouts run $50,000 to $70,000 for a group of up to 24 surfers, typically including on-site cabins and catering. That works out around $2,000 to $3,000 per surfer for a full group.
+What airport is closest to Surf Ranch?
Fresno Yosemite (FAT) is 45 minutes away. Most international visitors fly into SFO or LAX and drive three to four hours.
+Has Surf Ranch hosted the WSL Championship Tour?
Yes — it hosted the Surf Ranch Pro on the CT from 2018 through 2023, and continues to host the Challenger Series and specialty events.
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