2024: Wave Pool Pilled
There is no denying that 2024 was a historic year for surf parks. The proof is in the data.
The surf world is officially wave pool pilled. There is no denying it—2024 was a historic year for surf parks. The proof is in the data. At Surf Park DB, we track and analyze surf park and wave pool trends across the world, and the numbers from 2024 are record-breaking.
Let’s dive into what made this year so extraordinary.
Surf Parks Take the World by Storm
In 2024, 12 new surf parks opened across 9 countries and 4 continents—the most ever in a single year and a 71.43% increase compared to openings in 2023. Even better, we got 13 new wave pools because Revel Surf closed out the year as the first surf park to have two surfable pools: a UNIT Standing Wave and a SWELL MFG traveling wave.
Other pioneers of 2024:
URBNSURF became the first traveling wave brand to operate two parks.
RiF010 introduced the first traveling wave built into a dam.
The industry shredded records again with 8 new traveling wave pools, the most to open in one year. This is no small feat because these projects came with hefty price tags ranging from $10M to $750M. The crown jewel? Surf Abu Dhabi, a Kelly Slater wave estimated to be the most expensive park of the year. Each of the standing wave surf parks cost roughly under $10M showing that fun waves don’t have to break the bank.
In total, an estimated $1.4 billion was poured into global surf park development in 2024.
Open To All, Who Have The Money
Public surf parks remained the dominant business model in 2024. Out of the 12 new parks, 11 are public including the YourWave R&D site which doubles as a commercial surf park. The lone private park of the year was the AllWaves R&D site which made waves of its own by inviting surfers for test sessions, earning great reviews and a fun demo video.
But here’s the catch: “public” doesn’t always mean available to the general public. We have to consider affordability. How much does it really cost to ride these waves? Based on prices for the new 2024 surf parks, the average surfer would need to pay $145 per hour for a traveling wave pool and $77 per hour for a standing wave pool. And that’s before taxes and fees—which can add 10% or more. Need a board to ride, food, drinks? Expect to empty your pockets.
For surfers looking to save, services like Gnarly Tickets have emerged to offer discounts and deals, helping to ease the financial burden of catching those perfect waves.
Tides Coming In Fast
While high costs remain a barrier, the rapid growth of surf parks sets the stage for more accessible pricing in the future as developers race to meet rising demand. Texas is already feeling the heat of this market competition—two Citywave surf parks opened in 2024 within a 30 minute drive from each other.
Construction timelines are speeding up. Some traveling wave pools that opened in 2024 launched in under five years, and one standing wave was operational just months after breaking ground. This acceleration signals a promising future for developers, investors, and surfers.
Geographically, the USA continues to pull away from the lineup in terms of number of surf parks open. Their 4 new parks in 2024, which accounts for 1/3 of the total, comprised a 300% increase in the U.S. lead over other countries. Yet Europe nudged ahead of North America with 5 new parks opened.
Next year we hope to see more developments in other parts of the world too.
Not Without Close Outs
Even when the swell is pumping, not every wave peels out perfectly. Despite the highs for surf parks in 2024, some projects experienced lows:
Surf Poel had to permanently shut down before launch despite an impressive demo.
Honokea Surf Village was stopped in court, which depending on how you look at it may have been the best outcome.
Unexpected closures took place at Skudin Surf American Dream, Palm Springs Surf Club, and Fireside Surf.
Additionally, at least 8 parks slated for 2024 openings were delayed including Surf Center, Thermal Beach Club, and Crest New York. (See Wavepoolmag for more.)
The Swell Is Here
Looking ahead to 2025, 16 surf parks have announced openings. Though delays are likely, the momentum is undeniable. Projects that broke ground in 2024 like The Reef Club at Bridal Falls, The Lake, DSRT Surf, and Austin Surf Club give us plenty to look forward to.
By the end of 2024, the surf park industry logged an impressive 28% year-over-year growth. The surf community has evolved to embrace wave pools and it’s clear that surf parks are becoming a core part of the global surf scene.
Uhh, Who Cares?
This surf park boom isn’t just a win for existing surf enthusiasts—it’s reshaping local economies, driving tourism, and creating exciting investment opportunities. For real estate developers and industry professionals, the rise of public parks means more foot traffic and potential partnerships.
If you want to learn more about these trends or explore opportunities in the surf park space, visit Surf Park DB for more insights and data-driven reports.