The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, has been captured showcasing his considerable surfing prowess during a session in sunny California, guided by a renowned celebrity coach. In a series of engaging Instagram clips, the 41-year-old royal can be seen expertly riding the waves alongside professional surfer Raimana Van Bastolaer, highlighting a growing friendship and shared passion for the sport.
Surfing at a World-Class Facility
Believed to have been filmed at surfing superstar Kelly Slater's innovative 'Surf Ranch' in Lemoore, central California, the footage presents Harry wearing a sleek black wetsuit as he crouches on a white surfboard. He impressively navigates a barrelling six-foot wave, which is the central feature of this unique venue. This man-made wave, acclaimed as the best artificial wave globally, stretches for up to 2,300 feet and holds the distinction of being the only one to receive World Surf League accreditation, making it suitable for elite competitions.
A Guided Session with a Tahitian Expert
Van Bastolaer, known for his big-wave surfing exploits in Tahiti, captioned the clip with the affectionate message, 'cannot stop you my brother for having a good time'. The video includes moments where the baseball cap-wearing duke is accompanied by a jet ski on the sun-kissed water, then cuts to Harry standing upright as Van Bastolaer, riding on his knees, gently places a hand on the prince's lower back to guide him. Additional scenes show Harry practicing under floodlights, where he smiles and gives a thumbs-up to someone off-camera, adding a personal touch to the athletic display.
Musical Accompaniment and Past Connections
The post was soundtracked by a reggae version of Queen's classic hit 'Don't Stop Me Now', enhancing the lively atmosphere. This surfing outing is not an isolated event; Harry is thought to have struck up a friendship with Van Bastolaer since moving to California, with reports suggesting Meghan Markle bought him surf lessons for his 36th birthday. Last year, the duke, an avid surfer himself, was spotted at a surf school with his then five-year-old son, Archie, in a since-deleted photograph that also originated from the Surf Ranch.
Ongoing Surfing Enthusiasm
Van Bastolaer has previously shared clips of Harry learning to surf, including footage from October last year, indicating a consistent interest. Although the photo with Archie was later removed from an Instagram reel—captioned by the surf coach as 'Don't hate but be happy & keep smiling. Brother HARRY, Let's go for 2025!'—other images remained, such as Harry riding a wave, smiling with his board, and posing with Van Bastolaer. This ongoing engagement underscores Harry's dedication to surfing as a recreational pursuit in his life in California.
