Big Surf Waterpark, home to what is believed to be the country’s first wave pool, appears to be up for sale.
As reported by Phoenix New Times, the 20-acre property in Tempe is on the market and its owners are selling the park’s equipment in a “Big Surf liquidation auction” through Surplus Asset Management.
The water park, at McClintock Drive just north of Loop 202, opened in October 1969 and has had different owners through the decades. Big Surf has not been open since summer 2019.
Here’s what we know so far about the possible sale of the water park.
For subscribers:How the ‘original wave pool’ made Arizona a surfing destination
Why is Big Surf being sold?
Bob Pena, Big Surf’s general manager who worked at the park for more than three decades, told The Arizona Republic in July 2021 that the venue’s closure in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic was the first season the park was closed for the summer.
The owners, Inland Ocean, decided to stay closed in 2021 as well.
Pena told The Republic at the time that the ownership might be looking at “some different options,” and whether the park reopens for the 2022 season would be up to them.
The Republic has reached out to Pena for more information.
More:Another new surf and water park is in the works in Arizona. Here’s what we know
Big Surf has the first wave pool in the U.S.
Big Surf opened on Oct. 24, 1969, and billed itself as “the world’s first authentic inland surfing facility.”
The wave generator that has made surfing possible hundreds of miles from the ocean was created by Philip Dexter more than 50 years ago. Pena told The Republic that the wave pool still uses its original components to generate waves.
Dexter, who was inspired to recreate the waves he saw in the Pacific Ocean, spent several years making wave generator prototypes in his backyard and a Phoenix billiards hall. His “apparatus and method for producing waves” was patented on Oct. 21, 1969, and earned him induction in the World Waterpark Association’s Hall of Fame.
In 2013, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers designated Big Surf a historic mechanical engineering landmark, calling it “the first wave pool in North America to consistently generate 3-5 foot spilling waves suitable for surfing.” John Hauskins also was credited with designing the system that created the mechanics necessary for the wave maker.
Though Big Surf’s attractions haven’t been open in several years, there have been a number of events at the venue, including summer concerts last year and Merchantile Market’s bazaar in the parking lot in December.
The water park brought not only big waves to Arizona but also several massive musical acts. Elton John and the Beach Boys are among the artists that have performed there over the decades.
Brew Ha Ha Productions’ Punk in Drublic Craft Beer & Music Festival is scheduled to take place at Big Surf on March 19.
Reach the reporter at [email protected] Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.
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