Wave Pool History: Looking Back at Artificial Surf Spots

The year is 2024. The earth’s oceans, as a result of pollution and endless eras of manmade carbon emissions and, thus, the resulting global warming, are slowly slipping into a cesspool of decay. Intergalactic travel in search of a new, purer planet is not yet feasible. And so, in an attempt to maintain the sanctity of surfing in a world where overcrowding and toxic waters prevail, innovators have developed synthetic versions of the real thing.

Some call them saviors; others, blasphemous alchemists.

Either way, the wave pool revolution has begun. But this is nowhere near the beginning. These artificial surf spots have been supplementing the traditional experience for ages. The only difference now is that the industry is booming, with pools popping up worldwide, multiple manmade surf operations vying for the throne of supremacy, and a new generation of (not quite yet, but perhaps soon) cyborg surfers coming from landlocked locales, far from the sea.

What the future holds, who knows. But for now, wave pools are an inescapable, controversial, and formidable aspect of surfing’s future. They’re here to stay. Get onboard, or get left behind.

Lest we forget, however, the forebearers of this emerging industry — the pools that paved the way for the ever-innovating surf simulations of today. Some are long gone, some are still operating, yet overlooked in favor of new tech. Whatever the case, they deserve commemoration. So, consider this a lookback at where this weird world started, and perhaps, a glimpse into what’s to come. (At least, until humans colonize Mars, and wave pools dot the extraterrestrial wasteland, serving as a past-time for our forthcoming, interstellar, surf-stoked successors.)

Big Surf

As Rick Kane’s home spot, made famous by the 1987 cult-classic, North Shore , this Tempe, Arizona pool was more than just a fictional character’s launchpad for a Hawaiian reality check. Big Surf opened in 1969, and was the OG American wave pool built specifically for surfing. It was featured in 1970’s Pacific Vibrations (see above), from SURFER Mag founder, John Severson, with pioneering pro surfer, Corky Carroll, sampling the goods. But sadly, it closed during the COVID-19 pandemic . Instead, it will be reportedly transformed into a “business park.”

Ocean Dome

Perhaps the world’s first, modern glimpse at the potential of wave pools, the Ocean Dome in Miyazaki, Japan shook the surf world when a clip surfaced of Owen Wright, Mitch Coleborn, and Julian Wilson tearing this dream-like location to shreds. It tubed; it had air sections; it was complete with a beach-like setting, palm trees and white sand beaches and all. In other words, the waves were relatively good – realistically even. However, the Ocean Dome, sadly, closed its doors – and its gigantic, retractable roof – in 2007.

Wadi Adventure

A Lamborghini. A throng of Russian models lounging in bikinis. An impossibly turquoise wave, breaking in an uncanny desertscape. A dream team featuring Dion Agius and Joe G. That was Globe’s artfully crafted project, Electric Blue Heaven . And it went down at Wild Wadi Waterpark Jameirah in Dubai. But ever since that clip, crickets. Not much has been seen since Dubai following Electric Blue Heaven . But don’t worry; surfing is returning to the UAE with Kelly Slater’s new pool in Abu Dhabi. Stay tuned for that.

Dorney Park Wildwater Kingdom

Host of the world’s first pro tour wave pool contest, the Dorney Park Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania saw the best surfers of the time travel to an unlikely location for the 1985 World Professional Inland Surfing Championships. The winner? Tom Carroll. And even then, the controversy surrounding artificial surf spots was palpable. As surf historian Matt Warshaw wrote for SURFER Magazine at the time : “Purists cringed. Optimistic officials glimpsed the future. Most were in between, wavering. Unavoidably rising, days after the final blast of the airhorn and slowly opaquing over a myriad of strange and curious sights, an interesting, perhaps even important series of questions stood to be answered: Was this the shape of things to come for Professional Surfing? Or a remarkably different and unique novelty?”

Typhoon Lagoon

Yes, even the Magic Kingdom has its cartoon white gloves in the wave pool game. This one is in the Florida location, Disney World, and it’s still open…still pumping out soft, gutless peaks. In 1997, Kelly Slater competed in an event at Typhoon Lagoon; the following year, Rob Machado took home the mouse-eared crown. And while Typhoon Lagoon may have fallen behind as new-and-improved technologies have swept the synthetic surfing market, they still boast: “Experience the drama of 6-foot swells at North America’s largest wave pool and the water park’s signature attraction.”

Flow Rider

Okay, technically not a wave pool, per se. But in terms of artificial wave-riding, the FlowRider has been influential. And they certainly had their moment. Like the Wave House in San Diego. Unlike a traditional wave pool, the Wave House pumped water up a wave-shaped, rubbery wall; riders used small, skateboard-shaped boards without fins. And pretty much every time a session went down, someone got hurt. Dislocated shoulders, broken arms, and twisted phalanges were common. Now, the founder of the SurfLoch technology behind the Flow Rider, Tom Lochtefeld, has continued his pursuit in the artificial surf arena. With a new pneumatic wave-producing system, he’s the guy behind the much-hyped Palm Springs Surf Club. And plus, go on pretty much any Carnival cruise ship, and you’ll still see the Flow Rider going strong.

(Editor's note: By no means is this a comprehensive list of EVERY wave pool that's ever existed. Simply, it's a lookback at the memorable ones.)