A tough break for Cincinnati's surfing community 🌊

Surf's up, Cincinnati. News of Now reporter Victoria Moorwood here (hi mom!), back with a story about a passionate surfing community that found an unlikely home here in the Queen City.

Pipeline Paradise, a wave simulator ride at Kings Island’s Soak City Water Park, was decommissioned this year, devastating a group of dedicated fans.

Back around mid-April, one fan heard rumors the ride might close and, frustrated by months of radio silence from Kings Island, asked that I reach out to the park. I did, and two weeks later, the Kings Island vice president released a letter announcing the ride would cease operation before the 2023 season.

Soon after, my inbox was flooded with messages from fans of the sport, called flowriders, about what Pipeline Paradise meant to them. People sent photos and videos, shared life-changing memories and said they found an unexpected passion for surfing – and lifelong friendships – because of this ride.

Hear three fans’ stories and learn more about this surprising Cincinnati subculture here.

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What else you need to know Wednesday, June 7

⛅ Weather: High of 78. Hazy; smoke from distant wildfires will enhance both the sunset and sunrise.

⚾ Elly De La Cruz: Is he the Reds' savior? Give MLB's top prospect time, Jason Williams writes.

🐈 Cincinnati Zoo: Scientists find 'strong' evidence for cat birth control.

🍌 'Cincinnati Smoothie': Gold Star chili meets bananas. Abomination or genius?

🧭 Today in History: On June 7, 1769, frontiersman Daniel Boone first began to explore present-day Kentucky.

Before you go: A hazy photo of the day ☁️

You may have noticed some hazy skies throughout Cincinnati this week. That's because smoke from wildfires in Canada continues to drift into the U.S. and the Ohio Valley. Enquirer photographer extraordinaire Kareem Elgazzar went out and took some photos of it yesterday.

The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency issued an air quality alert Tuesday afternoon, but the National Air Quality Index has Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky in the orange and red zones, indicating that the air is unhealthy, mainly for sensitive groups.

Learn more here.

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