Aquatic Development Group (ADG), a leading water park and recreational design, construction, and manufacturing firm, recently spent the day with several professional surfers who enjoyed trying out its EpicSurf product at the company’s New York headquarters.
One of the people involved in this experience was Western Australia’s Ian Cairns, a key figure in the world of surfing. Over more than five decades, Cairns has been both a world-renowned competitor and movie stunt double, as well as founding the World Surf League (WSL).
Other professional ocean surfers, river surfers, wakeboarders, and more also joined in for the day, including pro surfer Ben Gravy, pro skimboarder Blair Conklin, world champion SUP surfer Daniel Hughes, WSL pro Rachel Wilson and world champion wake surfer Jake Caster.
Surfing for all
One of the key plus points of the EpicSurf experience is the fact that it is a truly interactive experience, where participants and spectators can enjoy being up close and personal with the surfers while they are surfing, as Anna Diamond, writer at WavePool Magazine found during the day:
“The most satisfying part of trying the EpicSurf experience wasn’t just staying on a board for more than half a second…. It was in resurfacing from the watery crash zone, Pyzel flying in my face, ego thoroughly quashed, to the resounding cheers of everyone on the sidelines. At one point, even the champion wakeboarder jumped in with a hand to help me steady myself before my next flight over the falls.”
Thanks to EpicSurf’s ability to be continually adjusted for each surfer’s skill level, it is inclusive for both pros and novices who are all able to enjoy the perfect wave for their ability. This led to a fun group experience where pros and beginners alike were able to share the space, offer words of encouragement, and cheer each other on.
Developing skills
Talking about where EpicSurf fits into the growing world of surfing, Jim Dunn, president of ADG says:
“We’re being very careful to understand that there’s an ocean experience, there’s an artificial moving wave experience, and then there’s a stationary deep-wave experience like EpicSurf. You’re going to get very different experiences from one to the other, and each is fun and fulfilling in its own unique way. The skills you develop on one, are transferable and applicable to the other, which makes them all very complementary to each other, and to the overall surf experience”
One area where EpicSurf benefits the sport is its use as a training tool. ADG also hosted a contingent of young surf competitors from the East Coast who made the trek to NY to see what they could do on the stationary wave. Each of them easily managed to surf more waves on their one day on the EpicSurf than they could for an entire summer in the ocean.
Meanwhile, some total beginners also tried out EpicSurf, where they were able to have their first surf experience in a safe, controlled environment, building confidence as they learned balance and footwork.
“EpicSurf is the ideal wave for mastering skills,” says Conklin. “The power of this wave is epic and practising your turns has never been easier.”
Phil Jackson, executive director of the Surf Dreams Foundation, agrees: “It’s the perfect wave for surf lessons. The EpicSurf wave is a real gamechanger for the surf industry. The kids couldn’t get enough of it!”
Those interested in pursuing the wave as part of a project build can contact the ADG sales team by email to discuss the possibility of setting up a session on the EpicSurf showcase model at ADG’s headquarters in Albany NY.”
Earlier this month, ADG detailed how it has brought EpicSurf to Aquatopia Water Park at Prairiewood Leisure Centre in New South Wales, Australia.
