Waco Surf Park
With state-of-the-art artificial waves and surprisingly low costs compared to other wave parks worldwide, Waco Surf Park is a must-visit for just about any surfer. But, of course, having the low-down before you book your trip is essential, especially if you want to maximize your time (and your wave count).
Let's dive in and explore the ins and outs of this one-of-a-kind resort to learn more.
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Wave Pool Prices
The prices for the BSR Surf Resort (Barefoot Ski Ranch) break down into a few tiers:
If you're just looking to hang out at the beach or swim around in the lazy river and watch people surf waves, you can pay $20 for a day pass. On the other hand, if you have a birthday party coming up and you want to get all your surf buddies together for a fun day at BSR Surf Resort, you can pay $2,500 to book the entire pool out and have it all to yourself.
What To Expect At Waco Surf Park
BSR (Barefoot Ski Ranch) Surf Resort is the second public wave pool in the United States and the first commercial American Wave Machines facility. With American Wave Machines Perfect Swell technology, the waves here resemble organic-feeling waves compared to many other wave parks.
The park is situated on a massive plot of land in Texas, where you'll find a wave machine, giant pool slides, and a lazy river. You'll find all kinds of people here, from slower paddlers to expert surfers and beyond.
When you get to BSR Surf Resort, you have a few different options to choose from depending on exactly what kinds of waves you want to ride.
Beginner Session
The Beginner Wave is a slow and gentle wave that is perfect for beginners.
These are perfect for those looking to surf small waves. If you're just learning how to ride and aren't quite sure how to angle yourself yet, we recommend sticking to the beginner setting.
The beginner setting has two options, including a 1-2 foot wave for standing up and a gentle, bubbly whitewash option.
The beginner session allows the pool to produce one wave every 1:30 seconds, with the wave breaking in every direction of the wave pool.
There is a maximum of 20 people in this surf session, as all the people surfing these slow waves are going straight.
Every beginner session comes with a foam surfboard rental.
Intermediate Session
A step up from the beginner session is the intermediate session, otherwise known as the "longboard setting." The Intermediate Wave is a moderate, green-faced wave coming from the right and left. Every wave in this session is chest high and provides surfers with a ride that lasts anywhere from 6-8 seconds. Many surfers compare these waves to a good day at a local beach break.
Just like at your local beach break, you can bring out almost any kind of board. We recommend longboards, fish boards, mini-tankers, and all other fun shapes. The Intermediate Sessions offer surfers a great way to work on their surf game and provide the perfect setting for slower paddlers looking to improve their paddling.
The longboard setting can produce three wave sets that come 1:30 seconds apart. Essentially, the BSR Surf Park creates 120 waves per hour. There is a maximum of 12 people per session for this setting, which is where you'll find most people.
Expert Session
Lastly, BSR surf resort has Expert Waves, which offer world-class lefts and rights for pro surfers.
One wave provides a ride anywhere from 8-10 seconds, perfect for those who want a head-high experience. Many expert surfers compare the waves in this park category to the waves at the North Shore of Oahu, the famed bowls of Velzyland, or Rincon's cove section.
The recommended boards for this setting include bodyboards or high-performance shortboards. We don't recommend longboards, as the expert wave setting is a bit too fast for them.
Most people in this category are already great at surfing, can paddle fast, and are looking to improve their surf game in very nuanced ways. There is a maximum of nine people in the expert wave session, giving you the best bang for your buck. With a maximum of 160 waves flying at you during one of these sessions, you can surf about ten waves.
After a long session of catching head-high waves, we recommend heading over to the lazy river to cool off.
Next-Level Filtration System
With the recent introduction of the BSR Surf Resort filtration system, the water is now cleaner than ever! Rather than having the unholy blue-dyed tint that the park used to have, the water resembles more natural water you'd find at your local beach or lake.
The areas treated by the BSR Surf Resort include the Royal Flus Slide, lazy river, and wave pool. BSR Surf Resort is working closely with CDC officials to ensure the water is as safe as possible.
Additional Information
Heading To BSR Surf Resort (Barefoot Ski Ranch) For An Afternoon Of Fun
BSR Surf Resort in Texas has finally hit the sweet spot for expert wave technology, bringing it up into the ranks of Wavegarden and Kelly Slate Surf Ranch. They were able to create a pool that closely resembles waves found in the ocean, which is pretty incredible considering the lack of advanced wave technology ten years ago.
It's the perfect spot for both beginners and advanced surfers who want to jump on the wave pool bandwagon and enjoy the incredible surfing technology we have available today.
If you're looking to step out of your comfort zone and surf waves in places you never thought you would find them, we highly recommend spending a day catching waves at BSR Surf Resort. You might even see some pro surfers in the waves alongside you!
To see more of the worlds best artificial waves, check out our surfing wave pools guide!
