As part of my Nuclear plan to get better at surfing, I planned on checking out Arizona’s new surf park in January or February this year. That didn’t happen, but my son and I did get there, yesterday!
Revel Surf Park in Mesa, Arizona offers both a River Wave and a Lagoon Wave. The Lagoon Wave emulates surfing in the ocean–paddle out, catch the wave, pop up, ride the wave.
The River Wave is quite different. With the River Wave, you stand up on a (short) board at the edge of a pool and work your way across the pool on a stationary wave. There is no paddling and there is no pop up. Unlike surfing in the ocean, on the River Wave, you do not surf with the flow of the water. Rather, you surf against the flow of the water, like water skiing, but without a tow rope.
We booked an hour at the River Wave. It was challenging to stay on the board without the assistance of the instructor. I enjoyed the experience and watching others give it a go, too. It was fun enough and interesting enough that if I were local, I’d probably do it again and again until I got good at it.
Revel Surf Park also offers a sandy beach, cliff jumping, a skate park, and an outdoor restaurant and bar. The staff and customers were fantastic. Lots of JOY! Music on the loudspeakers was good. Great vibes all around.
After surfing, we hung out at the beach and sipped cold drinks on chaise lounges under the shade of umbrellas. Then we had dinner at the beachfront restaurant and watched surfers ride the waves in the lagoon.
Revel Surf Park is the centerpiece of a development project that will include residences and other amenities. Very cool.
In sum, Revel Surf Park seems to be to surfing what Topgolf is to golfing. Both Revel Surf Park and Topgolf expand the reach of their respective “mother” sports, and that’s wonderful.
With Love,
P. Gustav Mueller, author of The Present