The UAE tub “is the first to break through the pro surf world’s skepticism about man-made waves”.
The esteemed-ish bi-weekly Time magazine, most infamous, I think, for choosing the Austrian painter turned activist politician Adolf Hitler as its man of the year in 1938 and including Evelyn Waugh, your ol pal DR’s fav author as it happens, among a list of the best gal writers in history, has listed Surf Abu Dhabi as “one of the greatest places of 2026.”
It’s a heady call, but according to Time’s Nicola Chilton, a Dubai-based freelancer who specialises in luxury travel, the UAE tub “is the first to break through the pro surf world’s skepticism about man-made waves”.
As well, Time says climate change, formerly called global warming if you’ll remember, will soon render many of the world’s best waves unsurfable.
“As advances in wave tech and surfing’s 2021 Olympic debut have fueled the global rise of surf pools, natural waves have become less predictable—a trend likely to continue, due to climate change.
“’Some studies suggest that waves will become more powerful in parts of the world and less powerful in others,” says Dr. Chad Nelsen, CEO of the Surfrider Foundation. ‘To date, that has not dramatically impacted surf competitions, but climate change is also causing increased sea level rise and is impacting the health of ocean ecosystems, like coral reefs, and that will likely impact surf spots around the globe.’ In Abu Dhabi however, the surf will always be up.”
Also included in the list of “greatest places of 2026” are Disney Destiny, the Okana Resort and Indoor Waterpark in Oklahoma and the wonderful Sea Sea Hotel in Crescent Head, Australia.
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You mean the Slavepool ?
Most grasp that tech is no improvement yet mankind hurdles toward AI…..
absolute gibberish , Time mag the one in danger of disappearing
It’s Time is up.
Evelyn Waugh, hey. I can see it… a bit fruity, unparalleled use of the language, more of a lean to the right, that does sound like our dekka. Bit of a Kazuo Ishiguro man m’self, who I’m sure was also a Waugh afficionado.
I really hope Iran hits the pool with some high-explosives.
The FIA cancelled the Saudi and Bahrain F1 GP’s for safety.
WSL would surely do the same if tensions were still prevalent in October.
Currently experiencing 3m plus tides. Waves are still working -mighty fine – although I do prefer the neap tide days more. Hard to imagine too many waves being impacted around these parts by a 40cm sea level rise (2050 estimates). Maybe a bit less time of absolute perfection on one hand at some spots but maybe just as much improvement in other spots that like some more water. But a good headline none the less.
In wonder if anyone will even get to surf that
Pool anymore in 2026. Hard to know as the UAE is arresting people for filming and reporting on current events. I know I will not be going back there to do any work in the next while.
(astro heads down to his local with a bamboo stick. A picture of coral stapled to the top.)
A futile effort, some might say but it’s the claim that counts, mofo’s.