What does world-class hospitality at a surf park look like?
I’ve visited five public traveling wave surf parks in the United States at least once. Here’s what I’ve learned.
I’ve visited five public traveling wave surf parks in the United States at least once. Here’s what I’ve learned makes a world-class hospitality experience at a surf park:
Obvious flow like at Atlantic Park Surf
Food, delivered like at Palm Springs Surf Club
A full beach day like at Revel Surf
Perfect weather like at Skudin Surf American Dream
Incredibly fun waves like at Waco Surf
Obvious Flow
Atlantic Park feels the most like a theme park. I often refer to it as the Six Flags of surf parks, but cleaner. Starting with the prominent gate surrounding the venue to the gates inside that require a wristband to electronically give you access to locker rooms, board rentals, and the pool outside, Atlantic Park has a commercial, professional, and polished feel.
This isn’t exactly what you want as a surfer because while it does feel seamless, it doesn’t have the relaxing yet dynamic vibe of a surf break. But the upside is that you always know what to do, where to be, and you always have someone to ask.
The front desk flows nicely to the board rental, wetsuit, then locker room areas and once you step outside it is clear to head to orientation where the boards are laid out and and grab your rash guard under a large tent. Any question are answered quickly by the approachable, professional and attentive staff.
Importantly, when in the water you aren’t left on your own. In each session I did there was at least one staff member in the water and one by the take off point. You also pass by the friendly lifeguards on your way into the pool. I never felt lost trying to catch waves and when I bombed there was someone checking that I was ok. I had assistance for every wave.
Food, Delivered
I have two go-to meals after a surf session: a poke bowl or a loaded burrito. While Skudin Surf is the only venue where I can get this after I surf, Palm Springs Surf Club is the only venue where eating and hydrating is quick and easy. As soon as I got to a lounge chair after my session a staff member brought me a towel and was ready to take my food order. At many venues this sort of table service is reserved for VIP/cabana guests but PSSC makes every guest feel taken care of.
After exiting the pool and feeling the hot, dry central California climate again, I couldn’t hydrate fast enough. My poolside neighbors even offered me one of their drinks probably after seeing how dry my lips were. Luckily a full bar is just a few feet away. I got water, reapplied sunblock, and before I knew it I was back at the chair munching on bacon, jalapeno pizza. The quick meal gave me a reason to hang out at the park longer than I would have. Otherwise I would have been sitting in my rental car in their parking lot searching for the nearest cafe with decent food 5 to 10 minutes away.
A Full Beach Day
Most surf parks feel artificial. The waves are always fun but they never come close to the feeling of surfing at the beach on a summer day. Revel Surf does come close. Their sandy shore combined with a high diving station, river wave, skate park, volleyball and soon pickleball courts makes the entire space lively and extremely family friendly.
There is so much going on every where you look even just sitting at the park is entertaining, but it also doesn’t feel overwhelming. So you can easily spend half your day there with a group of any size which is why most of their guests are non-surfers. For them the surfing is just another spectacle to enjoy. The only thing missing was a truck serving frozen lemonade.
Perfect Weather
There are only two indoor traveling wave pools in the world today: Skudin Surf American Dream and the West Edmonton Mall Surf Club. Both venues are inside of indoor water parks which means the experience offered to surfers does have its limitations in terms of accommodations and wave quality, however they have the incredible advantage of enabling people to surf consistent waves in perfect weather all year long. The wave pools can also be used both for surfers and non-surfers, maximizing the utility of the space and machine.
The location is not only perfect for its weather, but also because there are hundreds of people in the water park on a regular basis. That means free advertising to a clientele made up mostly of people who haven’t surfed yet before. There’s a real opportunity to turn first time customers into regulars and give vacationers an activity to try.
Incredibly Fun Waves
Waco Surf has been around since 2018 and still remains one of the best overall surf parks around the world. Its waves are incredibly fun for surfers of all skill levels and physical abilities, from complete beginners to pros. The fun factor was put on full display after the Swatch Nines event where inflatables and skate and bike ramps were installed at the venue and the world got to see pro action sports athletes simply play in the pool.
Besides the engineering, a large part of what makes the waves fun is that it is easy to be successful in the water. The takeoff is easy enough for surfers across many skill levels and staff is always there with you to guide you to the correct position. When someone wipes out they are rarely directly in the way of another surfer leading to less conflict and accidents. It also helps that the water temperature is always comfortable and you don’t have to wait a long time for waves to come.
Today, each surf park is quite unique with a different set of pros and cons but it won’t be long until one emerges that combines the best of all the others. Until then there is a lot that parks can learn from each other and so far there is no real disadvantage to doing so because they do not compete directly with each other. That may change before the end of this year as we see parks come online that are in very close proximity…