Wave pools, with their controlled environments and artificial waves, are popular destinations for surfers and water enthusiasts. However, beneath the surface, these aquatic attractions often conceal a variety of lost items, ranging from everyday objects to surprising discoveries.

This article explores some of the strangest things found in wave pools, the importance of securing personal belongings, and the efforts made by facilities to recover these sunken treasures.

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Commonly Recovered Items in Wave Pools

Surfboard Fins and Goggles

One of the most frequently lost items in wave pools is surfboard fins. Despite being securely attached, the strong artificial waves can knock them loose.

At Surf Stadium Japan, staff found about ten surfboard fins during routine maintenance. Shunichi Matsuuchi, the Assistant General Manager at the time, emphasized the importance of securing fins tightly before entering the water.

Similarly, at Skudin Surf at American Dream in New York, employees have recovered hundreds of goggles alongside surfboard fins. According to an operator named Paul, these findings highlight the importance of checking gear before and after sessions to avoid losses.

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Valuable and Unusual Wave Pool Discoveries

Luxury Watches, Jewelry, and GoPros

Beyond common items, wave pools have revealed some high-value discoveries.

At Skudin Surf, a $4,000 Breitling watch was found and returned to its owner—a visiting influencer who had forgotten about the loss until days later.

Other notable recoveries include:
Cartier bracelets
Wedding rings
Diamond earrings
Multiple GoPros

These wave pool lost and found cases highlight the risks of wearing valuable accessories in high-energy water environments.

A Diamond Earring Worth CHF1000

At Alaïa Bay in Switzerland, Surf Operations Coordinator Giovanni Piro undertook a 30-minute dive to retrieve a diamond earring lost in a 13,000m³ surf pool.

The owner offered a CHF1000 reward, which Piro promptly used to purchase a brand-new surfboard—a fitting outcome for a wave pool treasure hunt.

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A Prosthetic Leg’s Solo Adventure

The Strangest Lost Item in a Wave Pool

Wave pools have seen their fair share of unexpected findings. But one of the most bizarre happened at Waco Surf in Texas.

“Yeah, we found a prosthetic leg in the filtration system after draining the lagoon in 2021,” says Amy Hunt, Director of Sales and Marketing at Waco Surf.

A Surfer’s Unexpected Loss

The missing limb belonged to Carter Hess, a US Army veteran and passionate surfer. Carter’s Instagram handle—@a_swellpirate—is a testament to his sense of humor and resilience.

Brian Fillmore, Waco Surf’s Director of Surf, recalled the moment Hess’s prosthetic went missing:

“I’m collecting myself in the white water when Carter looks over at me and says, ‘I lost my leg!’” Brian recalled. “I asked him if he wanted me to look for it. He said, ‘Naw, I got plenty of them.’ He just hopped back on his board, paddled in, and grabbed his extra leg that was on standby.”

Months later, when Waco Surf drained the wave pool, they recovered Hess’s prosthetic leg—still in great condition.

“Carter came back for another session,” said Brian. “And we returned it to him. Good R&D for the company who made his prosthetic leg!”

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How Traditional Wave Pools Manage Lost and Found Items

Lost and Found Services at Wave Parks

To handle lost items, many wave pools have designated lost and found services.

• The Wave Waterpark maintains a lost and found at The Wave Shack but states they are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
• Wild Waves Theme & Water Park runs a lost and found office inside the park. Guests can fill out an online report if they realize something is missing after leaving.

Despite these services, prevention remains the best strategy.

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Tips to Prevent Losing Items in Wave Pools

To reduce the risk of losing personal items, follow these simple precautions:

Before Entering the Water

✔ Remove accessories – Take off jewelry, watches, and valuables.
✔ Check your gear – Ensure surfboard fins and other equipment are properly attached.
✔ Use protective straps – Secure watches, sunhats and other essentials to avoid losing them in the water.

While at the Wave Pool

✔ Use lockers – Store belongings in designated lockers instead of leaving them by the pool.
✔ Double-check after sessions – Do a quick scan of your area to ensure nothing is left behind.

By taking these simple steps, visitors can enjoy wave pools worry-free without the fear of losing valuables.

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Final Thoughts: The Strangest Things Found in Wave Pools

While wave pools offer a controlled and safe environment, their powerful artificial waves mean items can easily get lost.

From everyday objects like fins and goggles to high-end watches, jewelry, and even prosthetic limbs, wave pool lost and found departments have seen it all.

By staying aware and proactive, surfers and swimmers can protect their belongings and enjoy the waves without worry.

For more on this topic, check out the original article by Neil Armstrong, which explores even more fascinating wave pool discoveries.