When people think of surfing, Waco probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind. In the middle of Texas, it’s far from the salty air and crashing blue ocean waves synonymous with the sport.

However, Waco is home to the world’s premier man-made surfing destination, BSR Surf Resort. Complete with white sand, blue water and towering waves, BSR Surf Resort has become a wave-riding hot spot.

This summer, the world’s top surfers will hit the water at this premier facility for the second annual Stab High Aerial Surf Competition. The June 29 competition will feature 24 professional surfers competing for a chance to win $25,000 and, of course, bragging rights.

This is not your average surf contest. Stab High is a progressive unique event where surfers  take to the air to perform tricks high above the crashing waves. Sam McIntosh, Stab Magazine founder and publisher, says that pro surfers and surf enthusiasts are anxiously anticipating the return of Stab High to BSR Surf Resort.

“In 2018, we invited 20 of the world’s best and most eclectic aerial surfers to Texas,” McIntosh says. “In the world’s most dynamic wave pool, we wanted to see how high a man could fly. The event was far more successful than we could have ever imagined and there was no way we weren’t coming back to Waco for Stab High in 2019.”

This year’s competition will have attractions for the whole family, with event goers getting an up-close view of the surf competition from the edge of BSR Surf Resort’s wave pool. Besides the surf competition, visitors will be able to enjoy music, food and beverages, art installations, exclusive merchandise and fun on the beach.

Then there’s the Ladybirds Division, an invitational aerial surf competition for female surfers ages 15 and under. First and second place winners will move on to the 2019 Australian Stab High competition, and the Ladybirds’ champion will receive a 12-month Vans Flow contract. 

In addition to an exciting day of competitions and new event features, Stab High 2019 welcomes the return of the Vans Acid Drop, an insane event in which surfers attempt to jump from the top of the wavepool’s 12-foot concrete wall straight onto a wave.

Not able to make it out June 29? No worries. Stab Magazine will stream the competition live via webcast, on DirecTV and AT&T UVerse pay-per-view. Competition highlights will air on ESPN World of X Games after the event.

June 29 doors open at 10am, the competition starts at 3pm, and music goes through 11pm.

Purchase tickets here. ($41.50-$175; free for children 12 and under)

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Cullen Parker is an Agricultural Communications and Journalism student at Texas A&M University. Parker is an agricultural enthusiast, and you can often find him outdoors or playing a concert with his band in Austin or College Station.