Rapid Wave Pools - New Surf Lineup For The Ladies

Wave pools seem to be popping up everywhere. The new water destination for learning to surf, getting tubed, carving, showing off your 360s, aerials and any other tricks in your repertoire. Innovative wave technology from around the world is adding to the uniqueness of both traveling wave pools and rapid wave pools. Competitions are now being held for both professionals and amateurs. No ocean needed!

Traveling wave pools, such as Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch, are currently more prolific than rapid wave pools. However, rapid wave technology is constantly improving, and new rapid wave pools are ramping up in North America and Europe to meet the demand. In the United States, landlocked states, cruise ships, and even cities with epic waves to call their own are jumping on the rapid wave pool bus.

Rapid waves mimic river wave surfing, which is thought to be as old a tradition as ocean surfing, and can be found in river mouths, rivers, or wave pools. Rapid waves, also referred to as stationary waves, river waves, or deepwater standing waves, are created by the power of rivers or artificially produced via wave pool technology.

Unlike moving or traveling waves that require special surfboards, surfers can use their go-to ocean surfboards, with maybe a tweak in the fins according to the depth of the water. Instead of paddling in, rapid wave surfers drop in standing up, and when surfing rapid waves, more weight is kept on the back foot rather than the front.

Rapid wave pools are a great option over traveling wave pools due to their smaller footprint and lower price. The intimate setting of rapid wave pools keeps spectators close to the action, adding to the fun and creating new surf communities in these landlocked states.

Cash Hoover Lakeside Surf Chelan, Washington

In the western United States, Mamala Surf team rider Cash Hoover, an Oahu local, spends time polishing her river wave skills at the Wai Kai Wave Pool located at the Lineup in Oahu. Powered by Citywave Technology, the wave pool is over 100 feet wide, and 2’-6’ waves can be ridden there.

Between professional longboard contests this summer, Cash spent some time at Fireside Surf’s rapid wave pool. The first and largest standing wave pool in Texas, Fireside Surf is located in Colony, Texas, and is powered by Citywave Technology. Everything is bigger in Texas!

This fall, Cash will be representing the U.S. vs. Europe in the Continental Surf Cup held at Lakeside Surf in Chelan, Washington. Powered by Citywave Technology, the wave pool is over 54 feet wide and up to 6 feet. Wetsuits are needed! Possibly a 5/4/3mm or 4/3mm in the early morning, and a 3/2mm or Long Jane later in the day when the sun pops out. With the North Cascade mountains, vineyards  and Lake Chelan as a backdrop, the view from the wave pool is stunning.

Stoked to see rapid wave pools offering the women’s surf community new avenues to slide and glide. May the world be your ocean!