Is It Possible To Have A Wave Pool In Your Own Backyard?

Surfing gives you an invigorating, full-body workout that can improve your cardiovascular fitness, strength, and balance as well as foster a closer connection to nature. This once-obscure sport that originated in Polynesia in the 1100s has swept the globe as a popular warm-weather pastime. Unfortunately, for many avid fans, being able to surf frequently requires easy access to the ocean or a wave park and the right weather conditions. Either can be hard to come by for landlocked surfers. In response, some people are turning to wave pools to get their fix between ocean sessions and turn their backyards into a beach escape.

Having a wave pool in your backyard may seem like an extravagant luxury. While it's certainly not cheap, building a wave pool in your backyard is on par with other large projects, such as swimming pools. If you already have a swimming pool that you want to do double duty as a wave pool, it will cost less. You can usually retrofit an existing pool with a wave generator. However, you can also build an infinity wave pool for that specific purpose if its primary function will be to keep your surfing skills sharp when you can't get to the ocean.

A wave pool uses water-powered pumps to push water and generate waves that simulate those found in the ocean. For a new build, you'll need to make sure you have enough room in your backyard for your vision — that is, at least 100 square feet. If space and budget aren't major constraints, you can work with a company to create an amazing swimming pool design that will give you the full ocean experience. This will be the most expensive option but will yield the best results. For smaller yards, you can opt for an endless pool. These are small swimming pools that don't take up much space because they're designed for you to remain in one spot while you swim against moving water. The concept is comparable to using a treadmill for walking.

Both endless pools and more typical backyard swimming pools can be turned into wave pools with the addition of a wave-generating machine. If you already have a pool, this will be the cheapest option by far. You can buy a wave machine for less than $5,000. This is also the way to go if you're planning to use your pool for swimming and playing. You can turn the wave machine on when you want to surf and leave it off for poolside parties.