A new surf resort in China has begun producing artificial waves as part of its final testing phase, according to footage shared this week by professional surfer Rob Kelly.
The clips, posted on Kelly’s Instagram account, show him testing with Cruz Dinofa and Jacob Szekely at the PerfectSwell Surf Resort in Riyue Bay. The wave pool uses American Wave Machines technology and is scheduled to open to the public in November, according to the company. Rob Kelly is an ambassador for PerfectSwell.
“Had a very happy birthday making waves in China today!,” said Rob via his Instagram account. “Couldn’t be more stoked to debut the @perfectswell Riyue Bay Surf Resort here on the island of Hainan. Stoked to share more about this crazy project that will be open to the public soon.📷 @dajiangsurf”
First PerfectSwell Facility in China
Located in the town of Wanning on Hainan Island, the resort is the first PerfectSwell facility to operate in China. It was developed through a partnership between American Wave Machines and China Tourism Group, a state-owned enterprise based in Hong Kong.
Project Scope and Future Development
The first phase of the resort includes two hotels totaling 132 rooms, a wave pool, a skate park, retail spaces, and food and beverage outlets. A second phase will add more lodging and facilities. The resort is positioned to attract both domestic beginners and international visitors, according to the developers.
Previous Artificial Wave Efforts
In 2019, China tested its first artificial wave pool in Henan province. That facility, modeled on Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch, was later shut down in 2022. Although the waves lacked the quality of Slater’s design, the project was seen as an early indicator of national interest in surf infrastructure.
Surf Training and Olympic Ambitions
“With the launch of PerfectSwell, China solidifies its commitment to developing world-class athletes across all Olympic sports, surfing included,” said Kuan Zhao, surf park director of the resort. “The venue will deliver a world-class resort experience for all levels of surf tourists. We will expand the surfing community throughout the country while welcoming the diverse and broad spectrum of surf enthusiasts from around the world.”
Riyue Bay has hosted international surfing competitions for eleven consecutive years and serves as the training base for China’s National Surfing Team.
Tourism and Visa Policy
In 2023, the Chinese government expanded its visa-free layover period to 240 hours. The policy, managed by the State Administration of Immigration, allows visitors from multiple countries to remain in China for up to ten days without a visa.
