First Look: Spitting Tubes at Arizona’s New Wave Pool

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Dec 9, 2024 4:40 PM ET

In North Shore, the campy yet beloved 1987 film, a young Rick Kane (played by Matt Adler) is the surfing champion of landlocked Arizona. How? A wave pool. Specifically, the surf simulation tank in Tempe, Arizona – Big Surf – which was America’s first of its kind. Sadly, the pool shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic and, more recently, it was announced that it will be demolished.

Rest in peace, Big Surf.

But Arizona is returning to the surfing map, this time with a new wave pool producing spitting tubes in the non-coastal state. Revel Surf is brand spanking new park in Mesa, Arizona, and it features a surf lagoon, a standing wave, cliff jumping, a skatepark, restaurants, and more. There’s been lots of buzz about this pool, as clips have slowly seeped out on the socials. And now, thanks to a recent visit from the San Diego wave pool specialist, Jacob “Zeke” Szekely, we have a full look.

Revel Surf is backed by former Championship Tour surfer, Shane Beschen, and it utilizes a new tech to the wave pool space. SwellMFG, which powers the pool at Revel Surf, features “natural ever-changing waves at the click of a button. Dishing out fun, fresh, unpredictable rides for all skill types.” What’s more, their tech can produce “wedging barrels offering up steep take-offs to easy roll ins with drawn-out rights and lefts for max ride time.”

But how about Zeke’s take? This dude has surfed more wave pools than most, and by the looks of the video above, he put the new tech to the test. Here’s what he had to say:

“Testing out new waves in the middle of Arizona. It’s insane. Paradise. Never in my life did I think I’d be getting barreled and doing air reverses in Phoenix, Arizona. It’s a trip. How’s that perfect A-frame slab wave? Psycho. This place is a dream land. And the craziest air section I’ve ever seen.”

Rick Kane would be proud.

For more, check out Revel Surf.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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