This Saturday and Sunday, Kelly Slater's pool will be shown to the world for the first time in a live broadcast, with viewers having to wait 120 seconds between waves to see the pool as the 11-time champion brought it to the world.

Late yesterday, Wednesday, Slater took to Instagram to reflect on his invention: “We have a big week ahead of us. The Surf Ranch will finally live to be seen in real life. The first time I saw this wave on the property, I was like, ‘What have we done here and what does it mean for surfing? Is this the best thing that can happen or is this a weird door that we can’t close? Will people love us or hate us? ’”

For the first question there are as many answers as there are people who have given their opinion on the subject, for the second there is a consensus that it is a “strange door that cannot be closed” with confirmed projects to build more of these pools in different parts of the world. Finally, for the third, the answer is clear, there are people who love the pool and people who hate it.

“The debate will continue, but there is no doubt that it brings joy to those who surf it,” Slater continues. “When I had this idea in 2006, I felt that everyone should lend a hand at some level – some rose to the occasion and others got scared and walked away,” he adds, before thanking and saying that most of the world will not understand the work that went into putting this puzzle together and that it was the “scariest” project of his life.

 

Big week ahead. #SurfRanch finally comes to life for all to see live. The first day I saw a wave on this property I was taken back. 'What have we done here and what does it mean for surfing? Is this the best thing ever or is it opening some weird door we can't shut? 'Will people love it or hate us for it?' They all ran through my head in that first minute, slow motion and fast forward working in unison. The debate shall continue on but there is no denying the stoke it gives those who ride it. When I envisioned this idea, I felt it was bigger than one person or company and it should be something everyone has a hand in on some level. Certain individuals stepped up to the plate back in 2006 and others were scared away. To my partners and our team...I thank you for having the original belief to make this a reality in our lifetimes when a lot of people wouldn't take the risk. Most will never understand what it took to put this puzzle together. This was the scariest project I've ever been a part of but the rewards are far greater than I had realized they would be. I'm honored that many of the biggest legends of our sport will join the best surfers in the world in venturing to the middle of nowhere to celebrate it all this coming weekend. Thanks to everyone for their ideas, support, and opinions good and bad. I truly hope everyone gets to ride this thing or one of its future versions one day (unless you're one of those guys who came here to moan about it!?). ✌? from LR...Wild Rivers wave pool 1988, Allentown, PA 1985, @fredhemmings Tempe, AZ 1969, and a bunch of Surf Ranch the last few weeks. Check @gerglong getting spat out of his barrel! @bonfirebeachkids @noahgrimmett @shoulderhigh @wsl

A publication shared by Kelly Slater (@kellyslater) the May 2, 2018 at 5:52 PDT