American social media has been positively vibrating with clips of the pros testing waves at DSRT Surf ahead of the facility’s scheduled late-summer opening in Palm Desert, California. A group of professional surfers, including Rob Machado, Josh Kerr, Jacob Szekely and the Colapinto Brothers, recently participated in testing sessions at the facility.
“I never imagined I would be testing aerial waves in the middle of the desert,” said Jacob “Zeke” Szekely, an aerial specialist. “Wavegarden has about seven incredible waves for turns, five for barrels, and around 12 variations for aerials. It’s the best wave pool in the world.”
The project’s 5.5-acre surf lagoon uses Wavegarden Cove technology. According to the press release from Wavegarden, the wave menu was developed after testing nearly 100 wave configurations. The final catalogue includes more than 60 wave types designed for beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers.
The wave offering includes “carving” waves, along with wave categories known as Turns to Barrel, Air Training and Twister. Turns to Barrel waves combine a section for turns with a barrel section, Air Training waves are designed for aerial practice, and Twister is a barrel wave developed for advanced surfers.
The surf lagoon is the centerpiece of the broader DSRT Surf resort development at Desert Willow Golf Resort in the Coachella Valley. The project is being developed and operated by Beach Street, which focuses on destinations centered around surf lagoons.
When completed, the development will include a surf welcome center with retail space, a three-pool viewing deck with cabanas, a restaurant, bar, skatepark, pickleball courts and a leisure pool. Plans also call for a 139-room hotel and 57 private villas.
The project incorporates a water management system based on the “Turf for Surf” initiative, which replaced 71 acres of golf turf with drought-resistant vegetation. According to the company, water is sourced from a natural well more than 200 meters deep and does not rely on the public water supply network.
Wavegarden said groundwater flows naturally at 24 degrees Celsius, allowing the lagoon to operate between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius. The system operates as a closed circuit, requiring additional water only to offset evaporation. According to the company, annual water consumption is equivalent to that of 1.3 holes of a traditional golf course.
Wavegarden said DSRT Surf is its second operational facility in the United States following the opening of Atlantic Park in Virginia Beach.
“Seeing the elite of Californian surfing push the potential of our technology and hearing their valuable feedback has been very positive for the entire team,” said Josema Odriozola, CEO of Wavegarden. “The result is incredible waves that confirm that our lagoon at DSRT Surf is ready for the highest level.”
DSRT Surf is scheduled to open in late summer 2026.
