Waco Surf Will Host Swatch Nines Event in October
The 2026 Surf and Skate event will feature an expanded course design and a new crane-suspended rail system.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Surfing
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Swatch Nines will bring its Surf and Skate event to Waco Surf, Texas, from October 8 to October 10, 2026. The competition will introduce a new drop-in rail system for surfers and the largest skatepark in the event's history.
Why it matters
The course design shifts the focus toward creative experimentation by allowing athletes to connect multiple features into continuous lines. This format change aims to push the boundaries of how tricks are performed in both surfing and skating.
The new course features an eight-metre-long rail and a five-metre-wide mirror installed in the pool area. These additions complement a skatepark layout that includes spines, jump boxes, hips, and quarters to enable complex athlete-determined routes.
The players
Swatch Nines
This organization hosts action sports events that focus on course design and creative athletic progression.
Sky Brown
She is a professional skateboarder and surfer recognized for her performance in international action sports competitions.
Isla Hardy
The 16-year-old athlete was selected to compete at the event through the Become A Nine program.
Waco Surf
This is a specialized water sports facility located in Texas that serves as the venue for the 2026 competition.
The details
Organizers have suspended a new drop-in rail system from a giant crane, enabling surfers to launch directly into waves and link multiple features. The event roster includes high-profile athletes such as Sky Brown, Ocean Brown, and Corey Walsh, alongside participants selected via the Become A Nine program.
Timeline
October 8, 2026: The action begins and live streaming starts on YouTube.
October 10, 2026: The Public Day Show begins at 2 PM.
Season Trajectory
The introduction of the crane-suspended rail system signals a significant evolution in course architecture that prioritizes fluidity over static obstacles. This shift suggests a broader trend in action sports toward high-consequence, interconnected sequences that challenge previous athletic performance standards.
Fans can watch the first two days of the competition via the live stream on YouTube. The final event on October 10 offers an in-person viewing experience for the public starting at 2 PM.
The takeaway
The Swatch Nines event highlights how innovative infrastructure like crane-suspended rails can transform stationary sports facilities into dynamic testing grounds. Athletes can utilize these features to explore non-traditional lines that challenge the conventions of their respective sports.
Further reading
Discover more about the evolving nature of competitive wave riding in our Surfing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ESA - Extreme Sports Action.
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