Kelly’s wave will be powered by the sun

Words by Morgan Williamson 

Ladies and Gentleman, Kelly Slater’s green. And not because of the price of Outerknown beanies, not that kind of green. The King’s new wave, you know that chocolate barrel that we all watched with our mouths on the rug is 100 percent solar powered. When Kelly’s placid lake’s not just a pond for ducks it’ll run off the sun.

El Niño saw California’s drought and filled some buckets, it rained there… like a few times. People are ecstatic, the drought is over, the reservoirs have been replenished, the Sierra snow pack is saved. A few rains and California’s surely out of the woods… Will they ever again see the sun? Yes! February’s rolled around and the Golden State’s survived yet another harsh winter, it’s beach weather, rejoice. Meanwhile, the evangelicals in Texas are still praying for rain…

“We are committed to encouraging sustainable development at any site using our technology,” Noah Grimmett, GM of Kelly Slater’s Wave Company told Business Wire. “As part of this commitment, we are pleased that our first site in Central California is 100 percent powered by solar energy through PG&E’s Solar Choice. This program allows Kelly Slater Wave Company to not only be a pioneer in wave technology, but also in supporting sustainable power initiatives as we act environmentally through an alternative to installing solar panels and fulfill our vision of building the best man-made wave.”

Will commitment to the environment get you 11 world titles, a surfboard company, clothing line, magazine covers, a role in Baywatch, a video game, an autobiography, a biography, your very own wave and on stage performances with Ben Harper and Pearl Jam? Nah, but you’ll feel better about yourself. Now, go yell at your neighbor for watering their lawn.