Big Surf

Big Surf is a waterpark located in Tempe, Arizona. Opened in 1969 and financed by the Clairol Company, it boasted the first wave pool in the United States. The wave pool was designed by Phil Dexter.[1][2] At a ceremony on August 17, 2013 the Waikiki Beach Wave pool was designated as an ASME Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. The recognition is for being the "first inland surfing facility in North America".[3] The Big Surf Water park became the first amusement park or waterpark to receive such an ASME landmark status.

History

Big Surf is one of the claimants of the first and oldest wave pool in the United States along with Point Mallard Park in Decatur, Alabama, although Big Surf opened a year earlier in the summer of 1969. Big Surf was financed by Clairol/Bristol Meyers. World champion surfer Fred Hemmings was hired as a consultant and featured surfer. He rode the first man made wave at Big Surf. At one point it featured surfing exhibitions and competitions, as well as regular use by patrons of the park. This was largely discontinued in the late 1980s and early 1990s due to safety and liability concerns. Daily surf sessions are held before the park opens to the general public and between 5pm-6pm. Since its opening, Big Surf has added several attractions and replaced its original sand beach with a concrete bottom.

The park celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2009.[4] On September 2, 2009, it was reported that Big Surf will close indefinitely at the end of the day on Monday, September 7, 2009.[5] However, later that week on September 5th, the Arizona Republic reported that Big Surf would open again in Summer 2010 under the Inland Oceans LLC rather than the Golfland Entertainment, Inc. banner.[6]

Additional attractions

Pink Floyd performed here in 1972 as part of their Dark Side of the Moon Tour.

A popular teen disco known as The Rock Hop operated at Big Surf on Friday nights between 1977 and 1980.

Waterslides were added to the park in 1979.

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References
  1. Inertia, The. "Inventor of World's First Wave Pool Dies". The Inertia. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  2. "Big Surf Water Park in Tempe - Waikiki Beach Wave Pool at Big Surf". Phoenix.about.com. 2011-06-27. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  3. https://www.asme.org/about-asme/news/asme-news/two-tourist-attractions-named-landmarks-uk
  4. May. 22, 2009 10:08 AM The Mesa Republic (2009-05-22). "Big Surf, Sunsplash open Saturday". Azcentral.com. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  5. "Big Surf water park in Tempe to close".
  6. Ruelas, Richard (2009-09-05). "Original owners to keep Big Surf open". Azcentral.com. Retrieved 2011-08-10.

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