Ben Gravy on Wave Pools and the Proletariat Future of Surfing

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 larger Endless Surf lagoons could eventually support multiple takeoff zones along a single breaking wave. (go ahead and insert that mind-blown emoji here)Highlights:Different waves can run in the same sequence. Endless Surf has tested its Mixtape concept with beginner, turn, air and barrel waves delivered during the same session.The current interval is about 45 seconds. Magnusson said testing has shown different wave types can reliably follow each other with roughly 45 seconds between waves. The team is working to reduce that interval.Rip currents affect wave consistency. Each wave type creates its own current pattern in the lagoon. Changing wave types too quickly can alter the following wave, making current management a key part of Mixtape development.Beginner waves need to be slower and softer. Testing showed that even small waves can become too steep and outrun inexperienced surfers. Magnusson said current development is focused on making beginner waves mushier and easier to stay with.Larger lagoons could create multiple surf zones. Magnusson said future systems, including a proposed ES66-scale lagoon, could potentially use different takeoff points along one long wave, similar to the separate sections of natural point breaks.

Ben Gravy talks wave pools, surf culture, The Wave Source and why artificial waves will introduce a new generation to surfing.Why Ben Gravy believes wave pools can grow surfing far beyond the coast.How guaranteed waves remove the crowding and aggression of ocean lineups.What Ben learned surfing Waco, Surf Ranch, Wavegarden, Atlantic Park and other pools.Why wave pools need to improve the customer experience, not just the waves.The latest on The Wave Source and its potential East Coast and Texas projects.

Jess Ponting is co-founder and the current CEO of Surf Park Central which hosts the annual global surf park industry conference - Surf Park Sunmmit. He is also the Director of the Center for Surf Research and Managing Director of STOKE.In this conversation we explore changing surf culture, including growing acceptance of wave pools among ocean surfers and the increasing use of surf parks as substitutes for traditional surf trips as Jess Ponting highlights the potential for wave pools to introduce surfing to new communities while teaching etiquette, heritage and environmental responsibility. We also get a sneak peek at what's on tap at this year's Surf Park Summit September 1-3 at Atlantic Park Surf in Virginia Beach.

Surf park marketing starts with a strong brand. In this podcast Stephanie ter Hürne shares 5 tips (and much more) for building destinations

Our favorite nerds from Flowstate reveal how its latest AI model analyses entire surf rides, implements automated judging and coaching, and changes the wave pool experience.

This whole podcast started as the result of a WhatsApp text exchange between myself and Baptiste Caulonque of Endless Surf. I was on deadline for a story on prices for wave pools and had asked him how much it costs to build a basic surf basin. I knew it would be hard to get a direct answer because I know there is a shopping list of variables, like soil, power access and local costs. Baptiste shut me down. "What country? What model? Full concrete or engineered soil? What waterproofing solution? I can't give you a value that I can back. And, because WavePoolMag is a reference, we will get asked to justify the prices that you quote. Even if you just want a ballpark figure.”Fair enough, Baptiste. So in this podcast of wave pool costs and considerations, Baptiste (pronounced "Bah-tiste") explains why getting a clear, simple sticker price for a surf lagoon, can be so difficult. Spoiler Alert: it’s mostly about the soil.

Launched by Adam Bonvin, Alaïa was born following a surfing trip to France. His desire: to recreate this surfing atmosphere in the Swiss Alps. Alaïa Bay became the world’s third Wavegarden Cove opened to the public. But the real story here is what happened after the grand opening. Dealing with harsh Swiss winters, pool bottom issues, and operating within a non-endemic surf culture, Adam learned harsh operational lessons early on. It’s a common theme in the surf park space as projects discover that a successful facility relies less on sizzle reels of the pros and more on how you cultivate customer experience beyond opening day. In this candid interview, Adam shares what went wrong and how the team made adjustments to remedy each issue as it surfaced - the ongoing process of which has molded Alaïa Bay into the premier surf experience it is today.

Nate Stevens started at the NLand wave pool in Austin, overseeing retail. He first learned about the Atlantic Park Surf project in 2017 while it was still in the early planning stages and followed its development for several years before working his way onto the team. Today, as general manager, he guides multi-department operations, including guest services, marketing coordination, HR collaboration, accounting oversight, and policy development, overseeing more than 65 employees across operations and coaching.

The perfect wave pool surf shop is hard to build. Go too core and casual surfers feel excluded. Go too mainstream and locals lose interest. That’s why the Lost Shore surf shop works so well.Run by Kim Travers and Keir Smith, the shop blends global surf brands with independent local labels, creating a retail space that feels authentic without losing broad appeal. Miles from the ocean, it has become one of Scotland’s most respected surf destinations.

As the Surf Experience Manager at Alaia Bay (oops, I mistakenly call him CEO in the podcast), he oversees all aspects of the surfing operation within the wave pool. He is responsible for designing and scheduling surf sessions, managing staff planning, and ensuring every guest enjoys the best possible waves and overall experience.