Sometimes there are waves, and sometimes, not so much. Nothing quite as entertaining than a group of surfers after days of a no-show swell, sitting around grousing, as if the ocean gods were punishing them.

Of course, we’d all love a consistent flow of rideable fun surf, but then, would we truly appreciate the wonder when the waves show up? When we can say to ourselves and our friends, “That sure was a fun session!” or “What an epic wave!”

To solve the problem (ha) of fickle surf, wave pools are springing up across the country and the globe. This past week, a long board competition was held in Abu Dhabi on perfectly formed mechanical waves. I watched in wonder as wave after wave challenged the contestants, not to pick and choose a wave, but to demonstrate their skill sets, back to back on exactly the same surface and faces. You can watch a replay of this contest here: https://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2024/lt/313/abu-dhabi-longboard-classic/main

I was trying to wrap my head around a wave pool in Saudi Arabia, https://www.surfer.com/news/wave-pools/20-years-making-kelly-slater-abu-dhabi-wave-pool, created by Kelly Slater, whose first pool, “The Surf Ranch,” set the bar and started a trend toward mechanically produced perfect waves. The technology to create the waves can alter the shape and size for different types of acrobatic performances, from a pro-level “WSL Competition,”to a famiily beginner called “Waikiki.”

There are wave pools in Palm Springs, CA. https://palmspringssurfclub.com/, South Korea, Australia, England, Switzerland, Japan, Brazil and there is even a wave pool in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. https://www.waikai.com/wai-kai-wave-oahu, which seems almost counterintuitive. I mean, isn’t Hawaii the homeland of surf?

Aside from yet another man-made attempt to upstage nature, these mechanically formed waves are changing both the nature of surfing as well as the location. As of this moment, research indicate that there are 346 mechanically generated wave pools either open, under construction or in the planning stages across the globe.

While Slater opened the door with Surf Ranch, the creative minds hungry for wave experiences outside the ocean continue to push the mechanical door. While Surf Ranch and Abu Dhabi use a one-of-a-kind soliton generating hydrofoil to displace standing water, other technologies include turbine driven pushed water which creates ‘standing’ waves, akin to what. one might find in a river, a plunge technique, currently found at Surf Lake in Australia, and an air piston system, like the one found in Palm Springs.

The sticker shock for the bulk of these waves will limit most action to professional surfers intent on honing their skills. Hourly rates begin around $50USD for group sessions of beginners, and rise from there. Surf Ranch can be rented for the day for $70,000, or a daily per person rate (at 10 surfers) for $5K to $7K, a sure indication of the exclusivity for the best wave creation and the most individual opportunities. Wave costs at Wai Kai range from $175 per session for the 100-foot wave, $140 per session for th 65-foot wave, and $90 per session for the 30-foot wave. Multipack discounts are available.

I was lucky enough to enjoy a session at Wai Kai, and found the standing wave to be challenging and fun. Several crashes and a couple of successful rides, and i gave the pool over to the kids. I still prefer paddling out into the deep blue sea, but for some family fun on discounted days, and training grounds for tomorrows (and today’s) pros, the possibilities seem endless.