Surf Ranch: Gold in the Surf Ranch – Episode 07 Pt. 2

I handled location audio for this Surf Ranch episode from the WSL (World Surf League) event at Kelly Slater’s wave pool facility in Lemoore, California. The Surf Ranch is a unique venue — a man-made wave pool in the Central Valley, far from any natural surf break — and the production has a specific visual and audio texture that reflects that unusual setting.

Wave pool surfing audio captures something different from ocean surfing: the mechanical wave-making apparatus has its own sound signature, the riders are in a controlled chute rather than a wild break, and the crowd is close to the action. A combination of field mics for the action and wireless on commentators and athletes gives the editorial team the coverage needed for a broadcast surfing event.