Who am I? Nobody. Just an average-skilled, no-name, unsponsored, paying customer at the surf park. I don’t work in the wave pool space. I have made exactly $0 to date from this passion of mine.
The mission is simple – surf as many different wave pools around the world as I can. I am competing with myself with no backing from big surf brands, no support from sponsors, and a whole lot of saving up. Independently wealthy is not a reality, so I work full-time for a non-profit organization and save for these surf park adventures.
To date, I have checked off 27 different wave pools around the world. Seventeen of those are traditional traveling waves that most think of when they hear “surf park” and 10 are stationary “standing” wave pools.
My non-pro surfer stats are as follows as of January 2026:
‣ 27 wave pools
‣ Across 26 cities
‣ In 10 diff countries
‣ Featuring 15 diff wave techs
‣ 17 of which were traveling waves
‣ 10 that were stationary waves
‣ Totaling 125+ sessions surfed
Why wave pools though?
My first wave was at 10 years old when my two older brothers pushed me in during a vacation to Daytona Beach, FL. I was hooked, like any warm-blooded human after experiencing that sensation for the first time. Only problem – I was from Baltimore, Maryland. For those who aren’t familiar, Baltimore is a city known for crab cakes, football, and The Wire [tv show]. It is situated three hours from the nearest surfable coast. As a grom obsessed with surfing, my progression was limited to a day trip to the Jersey shore, a possible weekend stay in Ocean City, Maryland, and if I’m lucky, a family vacation to Florida. After dreaming of surfing Typhoon Lagoon for 10+ years, I finally got invited to join a group that split the private session cost in 2009. And surfing in a wave pool was everything I dreamed of and more. I was hooked.
As a surfer from Baltimore who didn’t get to practice and progress much, it was always intimidating paddling out to a lineup of competitive, wave-hungry East Coasters. Who am I to take one of their waves – I didn’t grow up at their beach. I didn’t have the privilege of living near the ocean, and thus, didn’t have the right to take waves before any locals.
Enter the wave pool. There is no luck of growing up by the ocean required – every surfer has a right to waves. No pecking order and each participant in the pool gets their turn at catching a fun ride. No cockiness or privilege – because you can’t claim this wave pool as your “home break” where you “put in the time.”
When I surf a wave pool, I feel less self-conscious of my ability (especially coming from Baltimore). Imposter syndrome goes out the window as I’m surrounded by surfers from all different backgrounds, hometowns, and skill levels. The environment is less aggressive and innately more supportive since every surfer gets the waves they paid for. The support + stoke is amplified when it comes to deep-water stationary wave pools. I couldn’t believe all the hooting and hollering during my first experience on a standing wave. Tips were offered from riders and pool regulars much more skilled than myself. It made me want to return, get more attempts in and progress. No room for shame or embarrassment – it is refreshing.
Perfect waves on demand might sound redundant, but it has been quite the contrary based on my first-hand experience surfing 25+ different wave pools around the world. Each surf park differs in vibe. A vibe crafted by each venue’s layout, aesthetic, food & beverage offerings, onsite surf shop (or lack of), photo + video programs, rental quality, amenities, non-surf activities, accessibility (for visitors), cost and most varying; staff and customer experience. All of these factors combined create the customer experience for a paying customer like myself – not just the wave itself. Though the waves are at the core when it comes to a surfer.
The day I feel all surf parks have become the same is likely the same day I end this mission to surf as many different wave pools around the world as I can. But to date, each of my 27 wave pool experiences has been so very different that I cannot wait to save up, plan and visit the next. Variety is competition, and competition pushes innovation and improvement for these attractions. While I rarely visit the same wave pool twice, it is possible for older “established” surf parks to change management, improve (or deteriorate), rebrand, update, renovate or innovate. I have witnessed this with Waco Surf (formerly BSR) who has changed management, rebranded, and improved F&B all the way to change the pool water color from brown to green. This example is to demonstrate, every wave pool is unique and worth a surf.
I am a paying customer, I don’t work for a surf park and I have to work full-time to save up for each of my wave pool visits. You will rarely get a more candid, unbiased, undiluted perspective based on first-hand experiences than myself. While I wish I could visit every surf park around the world on a sponsors’ dollar, get exclusive access to new wave pool technologies due to an influential following, or be treated as a celebrity (like Thor), my reality is very different. I’m obsessed with wave pools, but I do not earn a living from my passion.
Connect with me on LinkedIn to chat all things wave pools or on Instagram @SurfParkNerd for an unfiltered look at surf parks from the customer perspective.
Until next month’s column … See you in the pool!
Editor’s Note: WavePoolMag has spoken with Mike for several years now and has deep respect for his obsession. We wanted to share with you, dear reader, the kinds of insights that come from a deep connection with surfing artificially generated waves. With his new monthly column, Mike will explore his first wave pool encounter, customer perspectives in booking, communication and marketing as well as the emerging culture. You can also listen to our podcast with Mike here.
