Wave Pool Mag

There are thousands of variables in pneumatic wave programming. Change one variable by a mere second and it changes the entire wave. This blew my mind. To learn more, the Wave Pool Mag podcast spoke with Chance Gaul and John Skrdla about operating, maintaining, and, ultimately, programming Surf Loch’s pneumatic wave system at Palm Springs Surf Club. The duo explains how preventative maintenance, cooling systems, valves, motors, and individual caissons support extreme wave variability.

The coolest thing about working in the wave pool space is seeing how surf culture gets morphed into different entitites based on it’s location. Apologies if we’re being a bit esoteric, but this is a really big transformation for surfing as we know it. Back in the early days of WavePoolMag, we had a frequent emailer by the name of Daniel Lira Figueiredo. He wanted to build a wave pool in Norway.

Chris Gallardo, the man behind the plan for a Northern California wave pool, is a self-professed dreamer and do-er. “I haven’t had a large development team or group of investors behind me on my surf park development journey, I’m just a guy with a vision and the genuine desire to help make the world a better place through surfing and the long list of benefits the activity provides”, Gallardo told WavePoolMag in 2023.

The Peak Surf Park proposal in Pasco County, Florida, has moved further through the local approval process as part of the approximately 6,000-acre Two Rivers development. In July, the Pasco County Planning Commission recommended approval of the Two Rivers proposal and voted 3-0 to approve a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning connected to the project. The proposal still requires consideration by the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners.

Since Atlantic Park Surf began operating in Virginia Beach, its programming has expanded beyond simple hourly surf sessions. In a reflection of the greater sophistication in the space, APS has introduced surf packs, revised its wave menu and developed recurring programs spanning surf competitions, wellness, films, music and community initiatives. Marketing director Alex Smith works on the customer side of that process, using booking data and feedback to shape products and programming.

We all know the benefits of surfing for mental and physical health, but much of that understanding is more hunch than research-based. It comes from the post-session glow we know and love, the high that keeps us coming back. But new research on surf therapy at inland wave pools puts some important numbers to this feeling.

The lagoon at Bahrain Surf Park – Club Hawaii Experience has been filled, clearing the way for testing and commissioning of the Wavegarden system. The filling of the lagoon marks a new stage in the construction of the surf park at Bilaj Al Jazayer on Bahrain’s southwest coast. The next phase will include testing the equipment used to generate waves in the lagoon.

KELLY SLATER WAVECO Updated September 19, 2026: This article has been revised with current information on Kelly Slater Wave Company technology, Surf Ranch, Surf Abu Dhabi and the status of the Austin Surf Club project. STATUS: Churning out the gold standard for artificial waves WAVES: Super long left or super long right. No split peaks or A-Frames LOCATIONS: Lemoore, California and Abu Dhabi UAE. Coming to Austin, Texas There are more efficient ways to make waves.

I know Todd Prestage from the early nineties Taylor Steele videos. He was one of the few Aussies to break into Steele’s format. Competitively, the Encyclopedia of Surfing describes him as “Thin, loose-limbed Australian pro surfer from Gerringong, New South Wales; world- ranked #12 in 1996.” Then there’s the early 2000s surf industry incarnation of Prezzo, tapping sales and management roles at Hurley and FCS during the industry’s glory days of the Big Three.

Cheyne Magnusson is working with Endless Surf on new ways to program and operate surf lagoons. We spoke with the ginger savant at Surf Park Summit in Virginia Beach, where Magnusson discussed the company’s “Mixtape” concept, being able to program different types of waves within the same session. Bonus mysto projection: Cheyne also outlined how this is just the beginning for mixed-use surf lagoons (go ahead and insert that mind-blown emoji here) Different waves can run in the same sequence.