Saudi Arabia is set to host its first-ever pool surf competition this summer, bringing artificial wave surfing to the Kingdom for the first time. The event, called Red Bull Pool Clash, will take place on June 13 at Surftopia inside Aquarabia Qiddiya City near Riyadh.
Organised and operated by Red Bull in partnership with the Saudi Surfing Federation, the competition will move surfing away from the ocean and into a controlled wave pool environment designed for high-energy performances and nonstop action.
Unlike traditional surf contests where athletes wait for natural waves, surfers at Red Bull Pool Clash will compete on machine-generated waves inside Surftopia, Aquarabia’s artificial surf pool. The format is expected to create faster-paced action while giving riders more chances to focus on tricks, creativity and technical performances.
According to organisers, the event will begin with jam sessions where competitors receive a limited number of waves within a set time. Judges will score riders based on execution, innovation, progression and overall style. Only the strongest waves will count toward the leaderboard.
The top surfers will then move into knockout-style head-to-head rounds, including quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final showdown to determine the winner.
Beyond the competition itself, organisers are positioning the event as a large public entertainment experience. Spectators can expect live commentary, music, crowds and a festival-like atmosphere around the surf pool throughout the day. Doors are scheduled to open at 10am, while the main competition starts from noon.
The winner of Red Bull Pool Clash will receive a surf trip to Munich, Germany, home to the famous Eisbach wave, one of the world’s best-known river surfing locations. Registration for surfers is currently open through Red Bull’s official event channels.
The competition marks another step in Saudi Arabia’s wider investment in sports, entertainment and youth-focused events under Vision 2030. While surfing has traditionally been associated with coastal destinations, artificial wave technology is helping bring the sport into urban environments and regions without established surf culture.
With Red Bull Pool Clash, Saudi Arabia is now joining a growing list of countries experimenting with wave-pool surfing as both a competitive sport and a live entertainment experience.
