Kelly Slater Wave Co. vs Surf Lakes

Kelly Slater Wave Co. and Surf Lakes both produce genuinely surfable waves, but they solve different problems. Kelly Slater Wave Co. is a hydrofoil system rated to 15 waves per hour with a maximum face around 11.2ft / 3.4m; Surf Lakes is a central plunger system rated to 5 breaks × ~10/hr each waves per hour with a maximum face around 8.2ft / 2.5m. Kelly Slater Wave Co. wins on wave volume. Kelly Slater Wave Co. wins on wave size.

Last reviewed 24 August 2026

SpecKelly Slater Wave Co.Surf Lakes
Wave methodHydrofoilCentral plunger
Waves per hour155 breaks × ~10/hr each
Max face height11.2ft / 3.4m8.2ft / 2.5m
Founded20062016
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California, USAYeppoon, Queensland, Australia
Pools open now20
Pools tracked30

Kelly Slater Wave Co.

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.

  • +50-second barreling waves
  • +Multiple linkable sections in a single ride
  • +Highest wave face on the market (Surf Abu Dhabi: 3.4 m)
  • +Contest-grade consistency, hosted six WSL CT events
Surf it at
Full Kelly Slater Wave Co. breakdown

Surf Lakes

A giant piston in the centre of a circular lagoon rises and falls, sending concentric swells outward. Five separate reef bathymetries around the perimeter shape those swells into five different breaks running simultaneously, beginner rights, intermediate lefts, longboarders, barrels and a wedge, all off one plunge.

  • +Five simultaneous break zones
  • +Efficient energy use per wave delivered
  • +Prototype site at Yeppoon has been running since 2019
Surf it at
    Full Surf Lakes breakdown

    Kelly Slater Wave Co. vs Surf Lakes: common questions

    +Which is better, Kelly Slater Wave Co. or Surf Lakes?

    Neither is better in the abstract. Kelly Slater Wave Co. produces more waves per hour, so it suits sessions where wave count matters. Kelly Slater Wave Co. reaches a larger maximum face, so it suits advanced surfers chasing size. Choose by what you want out of the session: wave count, wave size, or a specific setting.

    +How do Kelly Slater Wave Co. and Surf Lakes make waves differently?

    Kelly Slater Wave Co.: 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. Surf Lakes: A giant piston in the centre of a circular lagoon rises and falls, sending concentric swells outward. Five separate reef bathymetries around the perimeter shape those swells into five different breaks running simultaneously, beginner rights, intermediate lefts, longboarders, barrels and a wedge, all off one plunge.

    +Where can I surf Kelly Slater Wave Co. and Surf Lakes?

    Kelly Slater Wave Co. is running at 2 open pool(s) we track, and Surf Lakes at 0. Both platforms have additional projects in development, listed on each technology page.

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