No matter how bad the onshore breeze and swell might be, an
overhead wave can always be found at
Wavehouse, a restaurant and surf simulator,
is the first of its kind and was opened in 2004 by UCSD alumni and La
Jolla native Tom Lochtefeld, who engineered the wave-making technology. The two
artificial waves fuse surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding techniques into
the only manmade barreling wave in the country.
The Flowrider, a smaller wave that first-timers have to ride
before moving onto a bigger wave, feels like a never-ending shoulder that
amateurs have to ride in order to move onto the bigger wave. Consisting of a
mild slope with jets of water covering the foam, the Flowrider lets newbies get
a feel for the board without getting roughed up. Brutus Maximus, a constant
8-to-10-foot barrel, lives up to its intimidating name, occasionally spitting
out riders bruised and battered. Thanks to inch-thick foam padding, the fall
isn’t nearly as bad as a skateboarding fall on a similarly steep half pipe.
The Wavehouse is far from secret: Tony Hawk, Kelly Slater
and Sunny Garcia are just some of the super-athletes that have come out to play
on the endless waves.
Located along the boardwalk overlooking the ocean, the
WaveHouse has a tropical-getaway vibe. Its walkways are lined with sand and
palm trees, and nearby kava bars serve up drinks, burgers, nachos and plenty of
seafood to recharge energy after a major wipeout.
Wave prices on the waves range from $20 to $40 per hour,
while a seasonal pass gets you on the waves all winter. The water temperature
is in the mid 70s, so wetsuits are optional even when the ocean gets frigid.
Wintertime replaces the Wavehouse’s nonstop summer party with smaller lines,
special discounts and room to breathe.
