Stab High, alongside the Surf Ranch Pro, is easily the most recognizable surf-only wave pool contest in the world. The inebriated yin of Stab High perfectly complements the polished yang of the WSL event — and the surf park world needs both to accelerate this emerging culture. Atlantic Park Surf hosted the latest event, and the surf world took notice.
Fun fact: Alex Smith of Atlantic Park Surf was on-site photographing the very first Stab High back in the pre-COVID era.
Instagram Reels have been flooded with clips of Hughie Vaughan’s strange, loopy air — dubbed the “stale fish flipper.” The move earned him scores of 49 and 50, securing victories in both the Pro Men’s division and Monster Air at Stab High Virginia Beach 2026.
Other winners included.
- Vans Pro Women: Sky Brown
- Yeti Bottle Rockets: King Nicol
- Vans Ladybirds: Isla Hardy
Full video recap below.
WavePoolMag has followed Stab’s courtship of the wave pool world since their first Stab High event in 2018. Since then it’s been held at several pools across the surf park world including Shizunami, Waco, Sydney and Palm Springs.
