FAQ

How much does it cost to build a surfing wave pool?

We can design a surfing wave pool to virtually any reasonable budget.  The question is whether or not it will be capable of delivering the right experience, managing your anticipated capacity and meeting your financial goals.  The primary variables that will most significantly impact your costs are wave height, frequency, and ride length.  The larger the waves and longer the ride, the larger the pool needs to be to deliver the best possible surfing experience.  Also, keep in mind that from a construction perspective, every project has a unique set of circumstances that will impact price.

I’ve seen surfing wave pools before are these similar to the ones you are talking about?

No.  Our surfing pool technology is revolutionary compared to any existing wave pool or wave generation system.  We deliver complete wave-riding venues that have been designed and engineered to address issues that resorts and water parks are not concerned with, but that are crucial to the sport of surfing.  These issues include wave shape and breaking characteristics, ride length, horizontal and vertical wave reflections, backwash, currents, secondary waves, pool resonance, wave frequency, safety, and capacity studies to list only a fraction.

What is a micro park?

We divide surfing wave pools into two camps: micro parks and surfing wave pools. A micro park is a stand-alone wave riding facility with the smallest possible footprint.  Micro parks are ideal indoor venues and are less expensive to build than larger surfing wave pools.  They may also contain a beginner’s pool, a bar restaurant, concert venue, standing waves, a membership club, retail, and athletic facilities.  Surfing wave pools, on the other hand, are multi-use facilities that are designed to simultaneously provide a meaningful wave riding experience and a high-capacity beach environment.  They are usually part of a larger project.  Surfing wave pools offer multiple programming options and are more versatile than micro parks, but are also substantially more expensive.  They deliver larger waves, longer rides and can be used to anchor master planned communities, resort developments, commercial shopping centers, casinos, aquatic centers, theme parks, or water parks.

How big of a wave can you generate?

How big is your budget?  We’ve set the bar for Waveyard^TM-Arizona as a 12’ face and we will meet or exceed that size.  But wave height is only one of several metrics that we consider when designing a surfing wave pool or micro park. Wave frequency, wave shape, pool footprint, operation and construction costs, ancillary pool uses, educational programs and user groups, and the surrounding beach experience also play a significant role in achieving your programming and financial goals.

With that in mind, our wave generation technology is, by far, the most advanced, powerful, and efficient in the world.  While we invented the Wave Cannon, our latest technology, The Set Wave System is twice as powerful and efficient than any wave generation technology ever developed.

How long of a ride can you deliver?

We can deliver virtually any ride length or wave size that you have the budget for.  As in nature, the ride length in a pool is dependent on numerous variables including; pool length and width, pool shape, wave size and shape, beach experience, and wave frequency to list just a few.  In addition, large waves travel faster than small waves; therefore the breaking speed and intensity of the waves will change depending on the wave’s height and the manner in which the wave is released.  Since our wave generation equipment is fully adjustable, we have the ability to alter the ride time and distance from wave to wave.

Can you adjust the speed of the waves?

Yes, The Set Wave System allows us to fully control the size, shape, and speed of the waves that we generate.  In addition, we can generate waves that have virtually identical characteristics as
ocean waves. We can also simulate virtually any natural wave shape, from Teahopu to Malibu.

What is pneumatic technology and how is it different?

Pneumatic pool technology has been around for decades and is still the primary wave generation technology being used in the water park industry.  Historically, pneumatic waves have been of the worst possible quality, however, recently attempts have been made to revive this technology for surf pool use with limited success.

Are your floors adjustable?

No, our waves are infinitely adjustable, but our pool floors are not.  For an adjustable floor to be effective, it needs to be located where the wave’s energy is very concentrated.  Forces at this point are extreme.  An adjustable pool floor would have to be significantly over-engineered to repeatedly manage these forces.  This would be prohibitively expensive and create an unacceptable probability of failure.  An adjustable floor would also negatively impact construction and maintenance costs.  Being able to change a wave’s shape at the push of a button seems novel, but we’ve never heard anyone say, “I’m so sick of getting barreled.”

Are Liquid Evolution wave pools salt water?

The water quality solutions in all of our facilities are advanced, detailed, and effective.  They begin with a thorough analysis of the source water for the project and include comprehensive operations and maintenance programs.  Numerous variables are considered before deciding which system best fits your project.  Whether we use salt, bleach, chlorine, ozone, or a newer technique, will be a joint decision.

Wouldn’t salt water provide added buoyancy and more accurately simulate a natural ocean experience?

Buoyancy in the ocean is not determined solely by salt content.  A more important factor in measuring buoyancy is the percentage of total dissolved solids (tds).  Because the overall percentage of dissolved solids in a pool is so radically lower than ocean water, whether you use salt, chlorine, or a similar chemical will have a negligible impact on buoyancy.  Ocean water typically contains between 30,000 and 35,000 parts per million (ppm) of total dissolved solids (tds), or 3-3.5%.  Chlorine and salt water pools contain between 1-2 ppm of free salt or chlorine and less than 2000 ppm of tds, or approximately .2%, with the balance of the dissolved solids predominately coming from calcium and magnesium.  Raising the overall level of salt or dissolved solids in a pool is possible, but comes at an extreme maintenance cost.

Can you build a surfing wave pool indoors?

Absolutely.  We are currently working on an indoor venue.  Stay tuned for more information.

Can you heat the water in your pools?

Yes, but instead of heating the water you may be better off considering an indoor solution.

Is a surfing wave pool safe?

They are safer than skate parks, BMX parks, mountain biking parks, roller-blading trails, or snowboarding terrain parks.  When you fall, would you rather land in the water or on concrete?

Can I get insurance for this type of recreational venue?

Having a comprehensive risk management program is an important part of any project and insurance is one component of that program.  In conjunction with our partners, we can assist you in developing and implementing a risk management strategy that is catered to your project.

What is a standing wave?

A standing wave is a wave that does not move.  They occur naturally in rivers and in other areas of rapidly moving water.  Underwater obstacles, undulating bottom contours, converging channels of water, and changes in water depth, can create a standing wave. Kayakers have been riding standing river waves for decades, and in recent years, river surfing has notably gained in popularity. 

Standing wave attractions are exciting water park attractions that provide additional value as spectator and promotional vehicles.  They have been deployed in water parks, bars and restaurants, retail stores, as well as on cruise ships.  They are low capacity attractions, but add value to a venue by helping to activate an otherwise stagnant or predictable environment.  Commonly misrepresented as surfing waves, current standing wave attractions cannot be ridden without modified boards due to their shallow water depth.

Fully adjustable, deep-water, barreling standing waves are the wave of the future.  Liquid Evolution’s Endless Wave technology delivers this capability.  Check back with us soon for a new video and a lot more information.

How much will someone pay to surf in a pool?

How much someone is willing to pay is project specific and will depend on many factors including, but not limited to: the scale of your project, regional demographics, operational hours, peak and off peak times, experience level, surrounding improvements, wave size, wave quality, ride length, wave frequency, location, additional amenities, and ease of access. 

Think of it in terms of wine.  Some people build their lives around fine wine and drink great bottles all the time. Others are willing to pay a lot of money for a great bottle, but want to enjoy it on the perfect evening with the right food and friends.  Others are content drinking less expensive wines, but will occasionally splurge on a great bottle.  Still others are happy drinking wine from a box, or whatever you put in front of them.  It is a broad market with different sets of expectations, experience levels, and tastes.

Why do you only work with municipalities, residential, commercial, or resort developers?

We only work with development groups for the simple reason that these projects are complicated, expensive, and involved.  Without a track record of financing large projects, your chances of succeeding are drastically reduced.

Can you assist us with operations and development partners?

Yes.

Can you provide us with a feasibility study?

Yes.

Can you assist us with our retail strategy and tenants?

Yes.

Can you help us understand the opportunities around corporate sponsorships?

Yes.

Do you really think surfing in a pool can replace the experience of surfing in the ocean?

Absolutely not.  Getting barreled in a pool could never replace paddling out in the ocean, but there are a lot of days and places where paddling out in the ocean is just not possible.  Knowing that you can catch waves when you want them offers a convenient solution for getting wet and staying in shape.  While the ocean might not be real, the fun definitely is.

Will you offer market exclusivity?

Yes, but Phoenix, Virginia Beach, Orlando, and portions of Southern California are already spoken for.