Incredible footage has surfaced of Prince Harry showcasing his surfing prowess in California. The Duke of Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍 was spotted expertly navigating the waves at Kelly Slater’s renowned ‘Surf Ranch’ in Lemoore, over 100 miles from the ocean.
Shared by professional surfer Raimana Van Bastolaer on Instagram, the video captures Harry s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁fully riding the man-made wave, known as ‘the wave.’ Van Bastolaer, celebrated for his big wave exploits in Tahiti, captioned the post: “In Tahiti, we still call you Prince Harry. But at Surf Ranch, it’s my brother. It was an honour to have you surf with me and Kelly Slater.”
The footage begins with Harry riding alongside Van Bastolaer’s jet ski before he gracefully leaps onto his board as the wave forms. Under Van Bastolaer’s guidance, Harry maintains his balance and adeptly rides the surging wave for nearly a minute.
Slater’s surf ranch features a groundbreaking 6-foot barreling wave that can span up to 2,300 feet, making it the best artificial wave in the world and the only one accredited by the World Surf League for elite-level competitions.
Since relocating to the scenic Montecito, California, four years ago, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, have embraced their new lifestyle. Upon their arrival in this coastal town, about 90 minutes north of Los Angeles, it was reported that Meghan gifted Harry surf lessons for his 36th birthday.
Harry has clearly made the most of those lessons, often seen cycling along Malibu’s famed Surfrider Beach. His time in the U.S. has also led to friendships with surfing icons like 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater and Raimana Van Bastolaer, with the trio even spotted together at last year’s Formula 1 Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
Interestingly, Harry’s budding friendship with Slater may raise eyebrows, as the surfing legend previously criticized Harry and Meghan on social media following their explosive 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. However, it seems that Harry has moved past this, showcasing impressive surfing s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s under the guidance of Slater and Van Bastolaer.