Desert trend for wave pools continues unabated in Arizona
Wave pool makers are giddy with the prospect of creating surf in arid environs. Las Vegas, the Coachella Valley and now Gilbert and Scottsdale Arizona all have projects in the planning stages.
The Strand by entrepreneur John McLaughlin seeks to create a surfing “desert oasis.” The development is generating a lot of interest through social media and on their traditional website.
“The Strand is the first of its kind, open to the public, large scale beach experience in the world,” the company says on the site. “You will be able to surf various ocean-like perfect waves anywhere in the world. You will enjoy surfing the beginner waves to a massive 10-foot barrel that expert surfers enjoy.”
The Strand says their system uses the best-in-class modern wave technology and will create “amazing surf experiences.” The surf park will house a wave pool designed for beginner-to-expert surfers, include a cable park for wakeboarding, offer other water attractions and build out the usual restaurants and cafes.
As far as the tech that the Strand Resort will use to power their surf, it’s a big mystery. The company said they have not locked in a wave generation system, but that they are close to making an announcement.
More on this story as it develops…
Scottsdale, Arizona
The Monsoon Wave Park in nearby Scottsdale Arizona shows full-size Wavegarden Coves in their concept renderings. Monsoon also uses several images and clips from Cove brethren Urbnsurf in Melbourne.
The website states that Monsson Wave Park is an “11-acre Surfing Wave Park that generates 1000 waves per hour and can hold up to 90-100 surfers at any given time.”
Although no timeline for completion is given, amenities for the wave park include a fitness-focused landscape, a surf shop and the capacity to host weddings. Other linked pages say the facility will hold surf contests and feature live entertainment. Monsoon also boasts they will have on-site accommodations with futuristic log cabin designs. (See pic)
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