Ordering up the ideal surf

Jenny Marder

Imagine making a reservation for the perfect wave.

If a New York-based company makes good on its plans to one day

open a surf park in Huntington Beach, people could do just that.

Officials from Surfpark L.L.C. recently presented preliminary

plans for the nation’s second surf park to city leaders and toured

the area for a potential site to build pools that spawn

computer-generated waves.

The park would probably include at least two wave pools; one for

beginners and another for intermediate, advanced and professional

surfers. A computer-controlled floor would change shape to adjust the

size and shapes of the waves.

Those starting out could struggle through 3- to 4-foot waves,

while professional surfers would test their tricks on 6- to 8-foot

curls.

Waves would cost about a dollar apiece, Surfpark founder Jamie

Meiselman said. A two-hour session would cost $40 to $50, and an

annual passes would range from $1,500 to $2,000.

But why would people pay to surf in a park when they can surf in

the Pacific for free?

Easy, Meiselman said: “It’s too crowded in the ocean. And surfing

has gotten so big in Southern California especially, that it’s almost

impossible to get a good wave by yourself. It gives you a good

opportunity, and you can do it on a schedule. For people who are

working regular jobs and have families and don’t have the luxury to

take off whenever they want, they can say, I’m going to surf at 8

p.m. on Tuesday nights and it’s going to be good.”

Huntington’s Economic Development Director David Biggs thinks the

park would be a good local attraction in the city and one that could

be used all year long.

“In these circumstances, you can always generate the perfect

wave,” Biggs said. “It’s fairly expensive, but some people are so

enthusiastic about the sport that price isn’t an issue.”

The proposed Pacific City site and Bella Terra, the old Huntington

Beach Mall, have both been discussed as potential sites for the park.

Mayor Cathy Green embraces the idea.

“There seems to be a big interest in it,” she said. “And anytime

you have people working out and keeping busy and they’re not in

trouble it seems like a really neat thing.”

The company plans to build the first Surfpark in the country in

Orlando, Fla. this winter or spring. If all goes as planned, Southern

California is it’s next stop.

“Huntington is kind of a no-brainer because there’s so much demand

for good surf there and not much supply,” Meiselman said.