Kelly Slater Wave Co. vs Surf Loch

Kelly Slater Wave Co. and Surf Loch 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 Loch is a pneumatic system rated to 70 waves per hour with a maximum face around 7.9ft / 2.4m. Surf Loch wins on wave volume. Kelly Slater Wave Co. wins on wave size.

Last reviewed 24 August 2026

SpecKelly Slater Wave Co.Surf Loch
Wave methodHydrofoilPneumatic
Waves per hour1570
Max face height11.2ft / 3.4m7.9ft / 2.4m
Founded20062015
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California, USAPalm Springs, California, USA
Pools open now22
Pools tracked32

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 Loch

Surf Loch is a pneumatic (air-driven) system where controllers energise caissons along the wall in software-defined patterns. Combined with the pool bathymetry, Surf Loch can render everything from Waikiki whitewash to overhead slabs. The team is led by former CT surfer Cheyne Magnussen, and the setting menu at Palm Springs Surf Club reflects that, every wave setting was tuned by someone who's ridden the real thing.

  • +Overhead slabs with a true tube section
  • +Deep, ex-pro-tuned wave menu
  • +70 waves per hour at PSSC
Surf it at
Full Surf Loch breakdown

Kelly Slater Wave Co. vs Surf Loch: common questions

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

Neither is better in the abstract. Surf Loch 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 Loch 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 Loch: Surf Loch is a pneumatic (air-driven) system where controllers energise caissons along the wall in software-defined patterns. Combined with the pool bathymetry, Surf Loch can render everything from Waikiki whitewash to overhead slabs. The team is led by former CT surfer Cheyne Magnussen, and the setting menu at Palm Springs Surf Club reflects that, every wave setting was tuned by someone who's ridden the real thing.

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

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

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