A radical fusion of surf, skate, and BMX is set to unfold at the 2025 Swatch Nines Surf event, hosted at Waco Surf in central Texas. Highlighting the spectacle is the Swatch Flying O, a suspended skate ramp built over the wave pool—part of a larger, imaginative course designed to challenge even the most daring athletes.
The exclusive, invite-only event will be streamed live on The Couch Surfing Show from June 23 to 24.
Designed by the inventive Canadian crew Zenga Bros, the new course includes a crane-mounted halfpipe, a skate park built atop the wave pump house, and a seven-foot miniramp floating in the pool. These elements represent a bold leap in crossover action sports design.
“We’re in a workshop building a surf wallride—just those two words don’t really go together,” said Zenga Bros cofounder Benny Zenga. “There’s no question in my mind that very unique, NBDs (never been dones) will happen.”
The event will welcome 22 elite surfers, including Mason Ho, Matt Meola, Chippa Wilson, Jacob Zsekely, Balaram Stack, Hughie Vaughan, and Cam Richards. They will be joined by 16 top-tier skaters and BMX riders, such as Greyson Fletcher, Pedro Barros, and Sky Brown, the latter two Olympic medalists.
Swatch unveiled new renderings this week showcasing the “Flying O” — a suspended miniramp equipped with a wall ride and surf-accessible rail. The feature builds on last year’s debut, expanding what athletes can attempt in and above the water. A standout addition is the “Reef Fanning Feature”, named after iconic surfer Mick Fanning.
“Attending Swatch Nines is special because they make the impossible possible,” said Mason Ho. “I’ll probably just fly at it full speed and see what happens.”
This year’s design innovations stem from a planning session held in February in Encinitas, California, where riders like Noah Beschen, Zoe McDougall, Andy Anderson, and Kevin Peraza brainstormed alongside engineers and builders. Their collaborative vision: reimagine how athletes can surf, skate, and ride the same space.
Founded in 2008 by Nico Zacek, Swatch Nines began as a freeskiing event and has evolved into a multi-sport platform encompassing snowboarding, mountain biking, and now surfing. Unlike traditional contests, the Swatch Nines offers no prize money or rankings, but instead focuses on progression and creativity.
“Together with athletes and designers, we’ve created an epic setup that’s never been seen before in surfing or skating,” Zacek said. “It’s going to be wild.”
Last year’s event provided a glimpse into what’s possible. This year’s expanded course, technological upgrades, and star-studded athlete list promise an even more boundary-pushing spectacle.
With riders gearing up for three days of unprecedented action, all eyes will be on Waco to see who can conquer the course — or invent something no one has ever done before.
Watch the full event live on The Couch Surfing Show, June 23–24.
