Here’s The First Look From Inside The Barrel At Kelly Slater’s Wavepool

No wave off the coast has the potential to be as clean as Mr Slater’s. A flawless day at Skeleton Bay, Greenbush, Desert Point, Cloudbreak, Chopes, Snapper or Sandspit can’t compare to the even playing field set forth by the phenom 150 miles east of the Pacific. This frame grab, courtesy of Kelly’s GoPro, is the first look at unrivaled perfection. 

With new POV clips coming through on a weekly basis, they’ve lost some flair. One of my buddies once said, if you have to film yourself surfing then no one wants to watch you surf, which for the most part is true. As 2014 was the pinnacle for GoPro footage, not just talking share price (2014: $24 USD, 2016: $8.93 USD). Today, GoPro’s are the most accessible method of filming one’s self. Although the majority of footage can be reminiscent of self righteous mediocrity (of which we’re all guilty), every now and again there’s a clip that stops you in your tracks. We’ll watch Koa and Alex Smith’s GoPro clips from Namibia any day.

When you’re too tired of standing in perfection at Skeleton Bay, do as Alex Smith and have yourself a seat!

Anthony Walsh’s quadruple barrel at Desert Point is in the same cat, Mikala Jones’ POV work in Indo’s worthy escapism, anything from Laurent Pujol’s lens, snapped while packing closeouts in pumping French beachies behind the likes of Shane Dorian and Kelly Slater are delightful. Mr Pujol’s method was mad enough that we invited Mark Mathews and Taj Burrow to recreate the shot at The Right. Mark went home with a ruptured eardrum, a torn up face and Taj got one hell of a clip… 

Despite The Right being wildly dangerous, what other wave could we stick two surfers in successfully and comfortably?

Not since the Ocean Dome in Tokyo has there been a wave pool with a proper barrel. Prior to Kelly Slater’s Wave Co’s tech, the Ocean Dome was the best wavepool suited towards high performance surfing in the world. The Dome died in 2007 (RIP). We’ve marveled at Kelly’s 30 second long barrels, criticised the chocolate coloured water, watched it switch to a sparkling emerald and a more comfortable temperature. You’ll recall Mr Slater’s unveiling in December sporting a full suit, boots and gloves. 

Here’s Owen Wright, Mitch Coleborn and a puka shell rocking Julian Wilson at the Ocean Dome, Japan. It’s amazing how much video quality’s advanced in the last ten years. 

The King’s just posted the very first view of what it looks like to be inside the inland right hander. A sight that just a handful of ladies and gents have experienced.

You’ve seen the outside looking in but you’ll watch it again.