In an open letter to those who’ve attended the Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California, KSWaveCo reflected on what has transpired in the last 10 years at the former water ski facility. WavePoolMag celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Kelly Slater airing those famous bog-colored rides from December 2015. Our feature “Plow, Sweat & Tears” examines how Kelly’s magic rectangle of stoke is the only foil system out of four launched globally, that continues to operate today. So while, plows at Xing Feng Extreme Center, Surf Poel, NLand and Snowdonia have disappeared, the Kelly Slater Wave Company design proliferated, even expanding to Abu Dhabi and soon to Austin.
Below is the letter from The Surf Ranch…
As one of the few who’s passed through the wooden gates, we wanted to reflect on the last decade of waves and memories with you.
In 2015, Kelly Slater launched “the perfect wave” a hundred miles from the nearest shoreline. We all remember where we were when that wave broke the internet. Kelly’s laughter was infectious, the wave so perfect, and, in that moment, we were all groms again.
Roughly 2,000 waves later (rights only), Kelly and his closest friends surfed the system into the ground. Version 1.0 had served its purpose, dreams became reality, and the team got back to work. Goofy footers rejoiced as Gerry Lopez christened the first left in crystal clear water. Fast forward to today, we run more than 55,000+ waves annually for surfers whose dreams range from visions in the green room to the simple, unforgettable feeling of feet gripping the wax for the very first time.
A once-simple water-ski lake evolved into a surfer’s oasis. A modest ranch-style home became a premier surf coaching and relaxation space, its deck alive with music and energy of guests and pros who passed through. A small home kitchen transformed to a farm-to-table culinary experience. True to our roots, goats and chickens returned to enjoy the space alongside guests lodging in Airstream trailers, reenergizing in the Renu cold plunges, or wake surfing in the recreational lake.
Through all the change and growth, one thing remains the same – becoming part of the Surf Ranch family. Whether you joined us once years ago or have spent time with us more recently, everyone who passes through the large wooden gate becomes part of the Surf Ranch Ohana. We’re deeply grateful for you and we hope you carry lasting memories of your time with us and look to making more in the years ahead.
Cheers to 10 years! And Happy New Year! We can’t wait to see you back in 2026!
The letter concludes with a recipe for Fattoush Salad with Za’Atar Chicken Kebabs and a call to action to plan your next session by emailing reservations@kswaveco.com.
