Wave Pool Mag

How do you overhaul the surf experience without disrupting your most loyal riders? What does it take to redesign wave settings that help surfers progress more naturally? And how do you test, tweak, and communicate those changes—all in time for the start of surf season?In this episode of the WavePoolMag podcast, we head to The Wave in Bristol where a major shift has been made: the familiar Waikiki wave is out, and a brand-new "Improver" setting is in. But what exactly changed—and why?Listeners will get a behind-the-scenes look at how The Wave's team approached the challenge, from refining takeoffs to reshaping session flow. Was the change worth it? How did regulars react? And what happens when you ask your own staff to surf for four straight days in freezing water?Tune in to hear the full story behind one of the most ambitious surf setting revamps to date.

In this podcast, we speak with Damon Tudor (former CEO of URBNSURF) and Craig Stoddart (co-founder of The Wave) about their journey and their exciting new Bahrain Surf Park project. Their partnership wasn’t sudden; over six years, they regularly exchanged insights on artificial wave technology, surf school structures, and maintenance systems. Despite operating in different markets — one with a mature surf culture and the other requiring broader appeal — they found common ground. Now, they’re bringing Middle East wave pools to life and ttaking on the challenge of introducing surfing to Bahrain, where half of the 1.5 million population can’t swim.

Mike Goldy’s has spent $15,000 on wave pool sessions. In return he has surfed 15 different wave technologies at 23 different standing and traveling wave pools across eight countries. What is the draw for this wonderful, possibly OCD-afflicted human? Is it the good vibes in the lineup, the guaranteed waves, the pumping soundtracks and close proximity to high-end coffee beverages? In this episode Mike shares what it’s like to be surf-obsessed in Baltimore and how that has led to his current mission - to surf as many wave pools as possible.

We learned about AllWaves last year on a visit to Belgium with Blair Conklin and crew in tow. During our visit, we saw firsthand the wave pool’s potential, documenting the unique circles of swell pumped out by its submerged bouncy pillow wavemaker.Since then, the Instagram-sphere has blown up—not with clips of pros doing amazing airs, but with videos of gentle, perfect, rolling beginner waves.Marie-Laure Clement of AllWaves shares how market demand is shaping the next step for Knokke-Heist’s wave pool technology.

Where do regular people eat in Abu Dhabi? I mean, it can't be a 5-star dining experience for every meal - maybe in the glossy press materials, but not for the average visiting human. But that's how many perceive this place. Former CT surfer Mitch Crews shares what it's like surfing, working and dining on a budget at the world's newest Kelly Slater Wave Co. creation. "My team has become like family to me and they're all, you know, a bunch of crazy surfers from around the globe. And it does feel like an authentic surf trip. I encourage everyone to at least give it a shot because once you've experienced that you know what it's all about. We're pretty proud of what we've done here and hopefully, we'll see many people's faces coming through."

Joe Dale serves as the Head of Commercial at The Wave in Bristol. In his role, he develops strategies to attract visitors to The Wave. Easy, right? Well, no. Joe has been instrumental in addressing the challenges of leading a business in the emerging wave pool sector. As the industry evolves, Joe's insights in this discussion highlight the connection between business growth and the consumer’s interest in distinctive recreational opportunities that, if done right, create a vibrant customer base.

The Coachella Valley Surf Club emerged hot on the heels of a handful of wave pool announcements for the desert east of Los Angeles. What started as an organization to introduce desert kids to the wonders of surfing has evolved into a philanthropic exercise to provide scholarships to students at the Desert Mirage High School in Thermal.Dave Hilts runs the organization and tell us, “Well, you know, the Coachella is very diverse socio-economically. And you have a mix of extremely wealthy people here. And then you have the East Valley, Coachella, in the school that I've been working with, you've got basically, the sons and daughters of farm workers and service workers. So you have a very diverse culture of people and incomes. That is where we've been focusing. Our efforts are in the East Valley where the kids could use the most help.”Drop into this fascinating micro-culture of desert surf in this latest episode…

Andy Hadden is pumped. We're sitting on the edge of the wave pool that he spent over a decade bringing to life. Today, all those blueprints, civic meetings and artist renders have disappeared into the ether to be replaced by the real, three-dimensional entity that is Lost Shore Surf Resort. In this episode we pick Andy's brain to uncover the surprises one can expect in the magic place when your dream goes from concept to concrete. 

On site at Revel Surf in Mesa Arizona earlier this month we spoke with COO Adam Saks – a creative hospitality veteran who brings a refreshing New York realness to his work. It was pre-opening and Maricopa County was running through its final inspection list (spoiler alert, they passed and are open as of today.) Adam walks us through the Cannon Beach journey, which many of us are familiar with, but really piqued our interest with his innovative take on how surf invigorates a space. Here, in the stripmall-landia of the greater Phoenix area, a wave pool radically distinguishes a destination which rolls over into higher retail occupancy and rates. “Our rents in this 30 acres are a bit more than those across the street. It just is. And that's not a secret. Prospective tenants could go and call upon the real estate broker for the retail space across the street, and they can call our broker and they will get two different numbers. What we have found is that we're 100% leased. So people here are willing to pay a premium rent to open their business close to the water. Like I said, what Cannon Beach is going to be in a couple of years with everything that we're bringing to this corner and the fact that very little of that exists in Southeast Mesa. Entertainment is about everything in one place. That's what the world has become.”

Jonas Boehm-Tettelbach is an imposing figure. He's Lurch height with a backwoodsy hairstyle and beard – put him in greasy overalls and he could be cast as a moonshiner in a Tarantino film. However, his manner is the furthest thing from Duck Dynasty bravado. Jonas speaks in a quiet, measured tone. And, it turns out, he also knows his shit.Having been with this wave pool project alongside his father, he's seen it all during the evolution of O2 SURFTOWN MUC from concept to concrete – a process which took five-and-a-half years (a relatively short time when compared to many other surf park projects.) In this podcast Jonas shares some of those hard-earned insights, the kind that can only be learned by bringing Germany's first wave pool to life.