Hawaii Meets Middle East at Incoming Bahrain Surf Park
Perched in the Persian Gulf, alongside neighboring Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, the Kingdom of Bahrain is a small island nation with big surfing dreams. Specifically, Hawaiian surfing dreams. Hence the incoming Bahrain Surf Park, a new wave pool project from Wavegarden.
A press release announcing the new pool sets the scene:
“Paying homage to Hawaii as the birthplace of surfing, Bahrain Surf Park aims to infuse Hawaiian culture and vibes into its attractions and facilities. Leveraging the innovative ‘Wavegarden Cove’ technology, known for its minimal energy consumption, the park will host up to 90 surfers simultaneously and generate 1,000 waves per hour.”
In addition to the pool’s announcement, the press release came with a questionable, photoshopped image of what surfers can…expect? (See above.) Not likely. It looks like someone asked ChatGPT for a Frankenstein concoction of “big-wave surfing” meets “Middle East landscape.”
For a more realistic view of what the Bahrain Surf Park will look like, there’s an artist’s rendition, as featured in a promo video for the surrounding development on their Instagram. And it looks…more like what we’re used to when seeing the patented Wavegarden Cove technology.
With Surf Abu Dhabi next door, utilizing the Kelly Slater Wave Company tech, and the upcoming World Surf League’s first-ever Championship Tour event to be held in the Middle East (the Abu Dhabi Pro; February 14th-16th), Bahrain is also looking to capitalize on international competitions. The press release adds: “Plans are already in motion to host a significant international surfing competition in 2026, further solidifying its status as a premier destination.”
With all this chlorinated infrastructure coming to the region, it makes one wonder: Will the Middle East become the latest and greatest (manmade) surfing destination? TBD.
The Bahrain Surf Park, and its Club Hawaii Experience, is slated to open early 2026.
