EpicSurf, a new stationary surf experience from the water park experts at Aquatic Development Group (ADG), has revealed that professional athlete Camden Hoover has become its first-ever sponsored surfing personality, ahead of the North American Qualifying Series for the World Surf League.
Hoover is a talented young surfer who has been utilizing ADG’s EpicSurf as a training tool to improve her skills and technique on the water. EpicSurf, as opposed to practising in the ocean, gives Hoover and her team the competitive edge of real-time coaching alongside a tight setup that allows her to optimise the number of repetitions throughout her session.
“At first, I didn’t know much about it, I just knew that it was a standing wave and was going to be different than anything I had ever surfed before – I was excited to try it out. The more I got to ride it, the more comfortable I got surfing it and EpicSurf ended up being one of my favourite waves.”
EpicSurf produces realistic wave surfs that allow surfers to use the same techniques and power that they do in the ocean. The system is ideal for easier top-to-bottom surfing, allowing amateurs and professionals alike to work on their technique.
“I’m able to use the same amount of power on a turn that I can in the ocean. I was able to ride my real contest boards to train, and it was fun using shorter, narrower boards to flip around and work on tricks.
“EpicSurf is different in the sense that you can utilise it as a training tool more than the ocean. I can have my coach or my dad right next to the pool, giving me pointers and direction, and I can do it right then and there instead of paddling in and back out.”
Time-saving tech
EpicSurf has helped Hoover to save time and energy by using repetition to focus on her skills which cannot be achieved in the ocean, experimenting with different wave heights. Hoover reports that the smaller three-foot wave was fun to try new things on, but her favourite was the five-foot wave as she could drop down to the bottom and go to the top, working on pushing more power into it.
“Even wiping out and falling was fun because you just fell into a wave, and it drags you to the back and you can hop right back on instead of paddling out and waiting for the next wave. EpicSurf offers more than the ocean can provide.”
EpicSurf’s wave can consistently run all day, something impossible to guarantee with the ocean. This has allowed Hoover to train for eight hours of the day, where the waves work around her and not the other way around.
“After practising on EpicSurf, my arms were better, and I could move my body differently in ways I wasn’t able to before. I was putting more power into my turns and everything was a lot cleaner and sharper. I came home and won a contest the next week.
“I have been on other wave pools in Waco, Texas and New York. You have to paddle in and out every time and cannot hear critiques in real-time. I think EpicSurf is the best surfer training tool.”
A sense of comradery
One of Hoover’s favourite motivations is the cheering and screaming coming from the sidelines, as well as making new friends from across the sporting spectrum: “Everyone’s happy for you, and that just makes you want to keep surfing and trying new things,” she says.
“I got to hang out with all my friends and make new ones, everyone was amazing. I even got to meet professional skateboarder, Anthony Shetler, and skate with him. EpicSurf is an amazing place for people to come together, everyone is happy for each other, and laughing, it’s such a great environment.”
Hoover has also been teaching beginners to use EpicSurf, which is made easily accessible thanks to training bars and adaptable wave types to ease in new surfers.
“It’s cool seeing the happiness when they finally get the hang of it. For beginners like my mom and sister, you can get used to the wave and stand up and work on your balance easily, especially with the help of the training bars. For beginners who are learning how to surf, EpicSurf is a great tool.”
A bright future
Hoover is now taking on the North American Qualifying Series for the World Surf League and will participate in a series of contests around the world trying to qualify for the Dream World Surf League Tour. Should she rank highly, she’ll make it to the Challenger Series, where she will compete with the world’s elite surfers, fighting for a spot in the Championship Tour.
Hoover adds: “Thank you EpicSurf for providing me with the epic experience to train on your wave and represent your company. I look forward to utilizing the skills I have progressed as I take on the qualifying series for the WSL this year!”
EpicSurf recently celebrated being designated a ‘Certifed Autism Resource’ by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
