The Surfrider Foundation USA does not have a policy on inland artificial wave pools.
The focus of the Surfrider Foundation USA is to engage surfers and other beach and ocean users in coastal and ocean conservation. We acknowledge and are monitoring the growing interest in artificial wave pools, as well as the potential environmental impacts that relate to land use, energy use, water consumption, and other waste or pollution generated.
As a coastal conservation organization, our mission is focused on protecting the natural shoreline and people's ability to access it. If a proposed wave park threatens the coastal environment, we would oppose that project as we would any inappropriate coastal development.
You can find Surfrider USA’s formal position statements here.
Surfrider Europe is an independent affiliate representing France and the EU, and while we share similar missions and goals to protect our coasts, ocean and planet, we do not always share the same positions on all topics.
Surfrider Europe’s position on artificial wave pools can be found here.
As wildfires ravage California, hurricanes batter the east coast and the Caribbean, sea level rise continues to accelerate, and the ocean becomes hotter and more acidic, we should seriously consider all of our resource consumption. Surfrider Europe’s position certainly challenges us all to consider our collective impact.
