The Swatch Nines Surf wave pool surf contest will return to Waco Surf from June 23 to 25, according to organizers. Promoted as a new kind of wave pool surf contest, the 2025 edition blends surfing, skateboarding, and BMX in a format designed by and for athletes.
Redefining the Wave Pool Surf Contest Format
Unlike traditional surf competitions, this hybrid event prioritizes collaboration and creativity. Organizers said the venue will feature a rider-designed layout built specifically for the Waco Surf wave pool. Invited athletes helped develop the course during a design session earlier this year in Encinitas, California.
“There’s nothing else like Swatch Nines,” said Noah Beschen. “It’s rare to be at an event where the only goal is to get creative, experiment, surf and skate with your friends.”
No Scores, No Podiums—Just Creative Progression
The Swatch Nines Surf format is not structured as a ranked contest. Instead, it invites 35 global athletes to explore new performance possibilities. This format, according to organizers, gives participants the freedom to innovate without pressure.
“Not having the competition is phenomenal for most of the surfers here,” said Coco Ho. “You get to see everyone’s character shine.”
Although it diverges from the standard competitive format, organizers refer to it as a wave pool surf contest due to its use of a structured wave venue and curated athlete list. This aligns it with a broader movement of alternative surf events held at artificial wave facilities.
Athlete Lineup and Preview Schedule
The 2025 edition features a diverse lineup from the surf, skate, and BMX worlds. Visual previews of the new Waco course will be shared via the Swatch Nines Instagram and YouTube starting June 16.
Surfing
Zoë McDougall, Coco Ho, Milla Coco Brown, Macy Callaghan, Juliette Lacome, Dimity Stoyle, Mason Ho, Balaram Stack, Noah Beschen, Matt Meola, Jacob Szekely, Blair Conklin, Chippa Wilson, Dylan Graves, Josh Sleigh, Lyon Farrell
Skateboarding
Andy Anderson, Val LaForge, Gustavo Ribeiro, Gabriel Ribeiro, Greyson Fletcher, Clay Kreiner
BMX
Sam Pilgrim, Kevin Peraza, Matthias Dandois, Erik Fedko, Dennis Enarson
Swatch Nines Surf and the Future of Wave Pool Events
Founded over 17 years ago, Swatch Nines has hosted events in snow, skate, and surf formats. Its approach—focused on content creation and community—continues to evolve. The 2025 Waco event marks the second year the group has used Waco Surf’s artificial wave pool to host this kind of wave pool surf contest.
The event signals a broader industry shift. As more artificial wave venues emerge, surf contests are beginning to adopt new formats. Organizers believe that by merging surf, skate, and BMX, they can push boundaries beyond traditional tour structures.
