Prince Harry recently made waves, quite literally, by catching some rides at Kelly Slater’s renowned Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California. The Duke of Sussex was captured on video navigating the artificial waves, a moment shared by his wife, Meghan Markle, on social media. The footage sparked a mix of admiration and criticism, with some praising his new hobby and others questioning the environmental impact of the wave pool.
Royal Ride at the Ranch
Meghan Markle shared a playful video of Prince Harry surfing at Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch, set to the 1993 hit "Whatta Man." The Duchess of Sussex captioned the clips with a playful "We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you this important message: 🦊." This marks one of Harry’s more public forays into the sport since relocating to California. He was seen riding the waves, embracing a sport he has taken to since his move.
Environmental Scrutiny and Defense
Despite his advocacy for environmentalism, Prince Harry faced criticism from some online commenters for participating in an activity at a man-made wave pool, which they argued uses significant energy. Comments included remarks about the artificial nature of the waves and the facility’s inland location. However, supporters pointed out that Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch incorporates eco-friendly features, such as a solar-powered wave generation system and sustainable building materials, aiming to minimize its environmental footprint.
A Royal Endorsement
Professional surfer Raimana Van Bastolaer, who has previously coached celebrities at the Surf Ranch, shared footage of Prince Harry surfing in October 2024. Van Bastolaer expressed his honor in having the Duke surf with him and Kelly Slater, referring to Harry as "my Brother" at the ranch. This event occurred shortly after Meghan Markle’s birthday, adding a personal touch to the public sharing of Harry’s surfing endeavors.
Key Takeaways
- Prince Harry was seen surfing at Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in California.
- Meghan Markle shared a video of his surfing session on social media.
- The Duke’s participation drew both praise and criticism regarding environmental concerns.
- Supporters highlighted the Surf Ranch’s eco-friendly initiatives.
- Professional surfer Raimana Van Bastolaer shared his positive experience with Prince Harry at the ranch.
Sources
- Kelly Slater Toasts Taylor Swift on Engagement with Photobomb, SURFER Magazine.
- Tahitian surfer dubbed “Incomparable” by Ivanka Trump reveals outrageous wave count at Kelly Slater Surf
Ranch, BeachGrit. - Meghan Markle shares playful video of Prince Harry surfing in California, ABC News.
- Trolls Slam Prince Harry for Kelly Slater Surf Ranch Video, SURFER Magazine.
