In this occupation, and with the surf world being what it is in today’s day and age, moving more and more towards the promise of artificial, landlocked surf spots, I hear a lot about wave pools. New projects are popping up constantly, new technologies, all inching towards a synthetic surfing future.
But there’s one pool that’s been pinging my radar recently that doesn’t quite fit the mold with other surf parks currently on the market. This one comes from West Virginia – of all places – and it features not one, but two entry points, with a concave rectangle design. Per reports, it sounds like the city of Princeton has approved the pool for construction, and it has a price tag of $4 million. Yet questions remain: What is this thing? Two entry points? Is it designed for surfing? Alas, no it is not.
Upon further investigation, the pool is a product of Aquatic Development Group (ADG), and it’s more akin to those “wave pools” in waterparks, before wave pools of the modern surf-focused boom, and it features bathtub ripples for folks in innertubes, rather than rideable waves via surf craft.
Per ADG’s website:
“As a twist on a water park classic, Twin Tides® Dual Entry Wave Pool is a one-of-a-kind water ride design and water park experience – unlike any other on the market. Twin Tides® will make your park stand out with a truly unique attraction that offers something for every member of the family.
“Flanked by beachfront on both ends, Twin Tides® takes advantage of a unique design and wave system configuration that enables you to double the capacity of your attraction without expanding your footprint.”
Related: America’s First-Ever Endless Surf Wave Pool Is Coming Soon
Sorry, West Virginia. No real wave pool for you. At least not yet.
But still, according to Aquatics Supervisor David Allacher of Splash Cove, a waterpark in Kansas that features one of these wave pools, “Guest response to the Twin Tides pool is astronomical, they love this wave pool! Any time they walk in, they see the waves rolling – they are ready to get in and rock and roll!”
[Insert devil horns hand gesture.]
Related: How a Novelty Surf Spot Inspired America’s Newest Wave Pool