“A Dream Come True”: Son of a Lifeguard Shows How You Can Surf at Kelly Slater’s Wave Pool

Published 04/11/2023, 4:32 PM EDT

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The Kelly Slater surf ranch is probably one of the hottest and most coveted surf spots in the world. It is no surprise that Jamie O’Brien, a surfer who runs after curated surfing experiences rather than titles, would want to try a hand at this amazing surf destination. As it turns out, O’Brien has in fact, multiple times, surfed in this location.

Recently, Red Bull sponsored a bunch of surfers to go and surf at the Kelly Slater wave pool, and it seems like all of them had a blast. The video covered O’Brien, the son of the Australian Mick O’Brien, who was a lifeguard, explaining how one can get to Slater’s surf ranch.

Kelly Slater wows surfers with his surf ranch

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The video opens with Jamie O’Brien, and a few other surfers, packing their bags and taking a flight to California, where Slater’s surf ranch is located. After landing, they pack their surfboards and embark on an incredible journey full of science and wonder. The purpose of the video seems to be to explore how the general public can visit the surf ranch as well.

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O’Brien and team, took advantage of the amazing heat at the ranch and rode the waves to their heart’s content. After the first round, Jamie O’Brien exclaims, “Second session today, it’s been an amazing day so far, and, uh, yeah, we’re gonna get a couple more before the party is really over. But, trying to take it all in and enjoying as much as I can. Because it’s a treat, it’s a pleasure. Thank you so much, Red Bull, for having us out here. This is literally a dream come true. I never thought I’d come here.”

O’Brien was not the only one totally smitten with the location. Others were pretty impressed as well. One of Jamie O’Brien’s companions said that the surf ranch was an “epic place to be… there’s no better place to be honestly. It’s a perfect wave and a good weather.” The central question, however, still remains unanswered: how did these people get to the Kelly Slater wave pool?

How to reach Slater’s wave pool?

Kelly Slater Wave Company specializes in perfect environments for surfers to practice in. The Kelly Slater Wave System is a next-level technology responsible for producing the longest, open-barrel, high-performance, human-made wave in the world. This initiative is in collaboration with WSL and is the only artificial system that produces waves fit for the elite WSL competition. Many people who formed a part of the Redbull entourage were either surfing coaches or surfers who came to practice their tricks for the upcoming WSL leg.

 

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Parks Bonifay is an American professional wakeboarder and a Red Bull athlete. According to him, “We are here to teach people how to wakeboard, wake-surf, belly flop, barefoot…” Caroline Marks, the youngest surfer to ever qualify for the women’s championship tour, was also present at the site. She said, “We’re here with the Red Bull team practicing for the sixth event on the WSL schedule… just getting some practice waves and having fun and meeting new people…”

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It is clear that the entire Red Bull entourage had the time of their lives at the surf ranch. Wouldn’t it be a dream come true, to get a sponsored visit to one of the coolest places on earth?

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Written by:

Apoorva Behl

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Apoorva Behl is a sports writer for EssentiallySports. With a range that would make Bruce Lee proud, Apoorva’s writing embodies the philosophy of "Be Like Water," flowing seamlessly between a diverse range of sports and sensitive angles. Her articles are known to resonate with her audience, earning her a common spot on the Editor’s Pick list.
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Edited by:

Anupama Ghosh