A nuclear missile just launched from Palm Springs, igniting a flurry of excitement, anticipation, and trembling giddiness in the worldwide wavepool arms race.
The surf world is rabid, drooling over clips and edits emerging from the California desert, and eagerly awaiting their chance to wrangle the Palm Springs Surf Club. Meanwhile, other manmade surf pool juggernauts are (likely) cowering in fear.
But while videos and firsthand accounts from pro surfers can tell us a lot about what to expect from the PSSC, there’s a bit more information that folks will wanna know.
How much will it cost?
According to the Desert Sun:
“An hour surfing session will cost $100 to $200 depending on a surfer’s skill level (on top of the $20 club admission fee). Board rental is also offered at an additional fee.”
Like other wavepools, PSSC offers different wave types for different skill levels, and that’s where the price variation comes into play. Better waves, higher price.
There’s also the opportunity to book private sessions.
What type of waves are on offer?
Similar to other wave tanks, like Waco Surf, there will be different types of waves for different skill levels of surfers. For example, per their website:
Beginner Waikiki:
Waikiki is designed to be the ideal wave for those who have never surfed or those who have surfed a few times and just want to get the feeling of standing on a board and riding in the early stages of their surfing journey. If the surfer is good enough to angle and go down the line, the wave does have an open face on the outside edge as it peels along the reef. This is the wave for you if you want to try surfing for the first time. Coming Spring 2024
Intermediate A-Frames:
The A-Frames are designed to offer a split peak experience which two surfers can ride in opposite directions on the same wave. There is a closeout section at the end which is intended to be there for a finishing maneuver. We throw 3 wave sets at 15 second intervals between waves with approximately one and a half minutes between sets.
Advanced A-Frames:
Advanced A-Frames are not for the faint of heart. These slabby cylinders give surfers the option to pull in off the takeoff and come out in time to do one or two more turns if you are quick enough. The end section makes its presence known on these waves, its thick and powerful so bring all the power you can to it. Like the mellow A-Frames, stay in the pocket. These waves come in 3 wave sets with an 8 second interval between waves and approximately one and a half minutes between sets.
Lefts and Rights:
The lefts and rights extend the length of ride in our pool by about 3-4 seconds and are designed to be user friendly for skill levels from intermediate to pro. These are designed to offer a legit first section for a big turn and hold the face throughout the rest of the ride. The end section is playful and great for laybacks or for the more technical surfer the blow tail reverse has been a favorite. These waves are thrown out as a 3-wave set with 15 seconds between the waves and about one minute and twenty seconds between sets.
There’s also other waves on the menu – like “The Slab” – which are available in private sessions.
What tech does the PSSC use?
There’s a handful of different synthetic surf technologies on the market currently. The PSSC, in particular, utilizes SurfLoch tech, which according to their site:
SURFLOCH creates waves using pressurized air within custom-designed and individually controlled concrete chambers (aka caissons). Each caisson represents a unique wave section. The timing, sequence, and force of how each caisson is fired (or releases wave energy) determines the size, shape, and performance of each wave. This level of control and customization allows operators to create an infinite variety of wave types within the same pool footprint at the push of a button.
What about sustainability?
Yes. Per their website:
At Palm Springs Surf Club, we’re committed to minimizing our ecological footprint.From sourcing our menus with local farms to eliminating single use plastics, sustainability leads our decision making and is ingrained in our core values.More to come on park-wide sustainability initiatives.
Will there be food? A bar? Other attractions?
Yes. Three bars. And a lazy river.
When will it open?
January 1st, 2024.
Learn more here.
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