Sitting in the pool, surfers can tell when a wave is on its way a few moments before the water even moves. Pneumatic systems provide a whoosh or a hum while the Cove can throw out a clank or a kind of gurgling sound. And one of the most iconic sounds in surf parkdom is the whoosh of steam from engine powering the Surf Lakes plunger. But these are sounds heard only by the surfers in the immediate vicinity waiting for a wave.
This week the Palm Springs Post reported that residents near the Palm Springs Surf Club—some living roughly 900 feet away—have submitted 66 noise complaints since late 2023, citing disturbances from the wave-generating pistons and, on occassion, amplified music during events.
The Palm Springs Surf Club sits 4,000 feet from the airport and near several residential neighborhoods, including Desert Park Estates and Gateway Estates, both located within 800 to 1,000 feet of the site. Most noise complaints have come from these areas with Desert Park Estates, directly west of the facility, especially vocal.
The primary concern has been the breach of Palm Springs’ 70-decibel daytime limit in industrial zones. In response, wavemakers have since implemented several mitigation strategies to reduce its sound footprint. This includes replacing roll-up doors with a dedicated HVAC system that allows for indoor climate control without increasing exterior noise.
Additionally, the club installed sound-insulating materials to absorb mechanical noise generated by the wave equipment. Operational adjustments—such as limiting amplified music during certain hours—were also made to ensure better compliance with local noise ordinances.
City code enforcement has issued six citations, four of which resulted in fines that the Surf Club has since paid.
The wave pool’s efforts to mitigate noise will be reviewed by the Palm Springs Planning Commission during a formal hearing scheduled for July 22. Officials will assess whether the club is meeting the conditions set out in its original 2019 approval. The outcome could lead to additional requirements for noise monitoring or restrictions on certain aspects of the Surf Club’s operations.
The Palm Springs Surf Club, built on the site of the former Wet’n’Wild water park, opened in early 2024 featuring Tom Lochtefeld’s Surf Loch wave technology. Originally budgeted at $50 million, construction costs ballooned to $80 million following COVID-related delays. The 21-acre site includes a customizable wave pool offering 2–7 foot waves, along with a lazy river, slides, restaurants, and club amenities. The surf park offers sessions priced from $100 to $250 and has introduced advanced wave settings like the Pro A-Frame for experienced surfers. Cheyne Magnusson, long-time wave DJ and poster boy for the park left this year to pursue work with Endless Surf.
