When pro surfer Kelly Slater opened up his doors for a California tidal pool's first competition, it was a showdown at the Surf Ranch.

Surfers recently dueled 110 miles from the nearest beach. A 70-ton hydrofoil created perfect, uniform waves across the 2,000-foot-long manmade pond.

Surfers normally have to wait for the right wave, causing surf competitions to last for days. But the Surf Ranch provides constant, picture-perfect eight-footers. Some surfers claim the consistency removes the sport's renegade spirit, while others say it sets a perfect stage to showcase the future of surf competitions.