Mexico City is chasing a place in the history books with a bid for the largest human-made wave ever recorded, but the stunt has drawn sharp criticism from British environmentalists who accuse the organisers of cultural appropriation. Sources close to the project confirm that a massive hydraulic system is being constructed in a disused industrial park on the city's outskirts, designed to generate a wave of over 30 metres. The event, scheduled for next month, is intended to promote tourism and celebrate Mexico's surfing heritage.
But London-based groups, including the Surfers Against Sewage offshoot 'Wave Ethics', have condemned the move as 'intellectual property theft from Pacific Island cultures'. Uncovered documents from the group's internal memo show plans to petition the UN for a 'cultural heritage protection' ruling. The Mexican government has dismissed the claims as 'colonial gatekeeping', insisting the wave is a technological marvel for all.
But with environmental impact assessments still unpublished and funding streams opaque, this story feels like a countdown to scandal.
