Just in time for LA '28 Olympics!

Surf fans around the globe were likely thrilled, days ago, when it was revealed that Huntington Beach, California had emerged as the favorite to host the surfing component of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Surf City, USA and its ample space for judging towers, fan experiences, NOFX and Friends etc. has seemingly allowed it to pull ahead of Lower Trestles, down San Clemente way, and surf fans, around the globe, are certain to thrill as their country’s heroes and heroines perform the beloved Huntington Hop.

Some might even be tempted to travel to the cultural mecca to witness it all firsthand. A very fine idea and the intrepid traveler should certainly pad the schedule to allow time to visit BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse on Main Street, 7-11 on the Pacific Coast Highway and, of course, the Huntington Beach Central Library which will have a fancy new plaque on its exterior.

The bold black and yellow design features an eagle over the words “Celebrating 50 years of being a beacon of education, a catalyst for dreams and a sanctuary for children to feel safe, valued and free to grow.”

Below that the acronym MAGA stretches out. Magical, Alluring, Galvanizing, Adventurous, of course.

While many thrilled during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, where the panel approved “Celebrating 50 years of MAGA” by a vote of 6 – 0, others became upset. According to the Los Angeles Times, Barbara Richardson, a local, thought she was being “punked” when first seeing the design. “It turned out the joke was on me, because this plaque is the real design,” she shared with The Los Angeles Times.

Chris Kluwe, also local, told the panel, “It is really important that you understand that MAGA as an ideology is destroying our country, OK? MAGA is the idea that trans people shouldn’t exist. MAGA is the idea that you can let a billionaire come in and run our government and take our Social Security numbers to do who knows what because there is no oversight.”

Deputy City Manager Jennifer Carey simply stated, “The plaque’s design was a collaborative effort, incorporating input from various City Council members and the community.”

It will cost $7000 to install and be a wonderful draw for the aforementioned Olympic surf fan either before or after a little rioting.

Magical, alluring, galvanizing, adventurous.

"Economically, this nearly triples revenue generation from the surf lagoon alone while benefiting other surrounding business units."

The highly anticipated wave pool war, foretold by our ancestors, seems to be over before it truly began. But lo, rewind your memory to 2010. It was the year the iPad was introduced, WikiLeaks published its first Chelsea Manning drips, a JetBlue employee dramatically quit by sliding down the plane’s escape slide and Wavegarden unveiled its surf tub, Mick Fanning, Gabriel Medina, “making folklore by surfing the artificial knee-high waves.”

Fast forward five years and “greatest athlete ever” Kelly Slater revealed his very own technology up Lemoore, California way. It was an absolute arms’ race, new and different tanks featuring new and different wave generating mechanisms popping up in Austin, Texas, Waco, Texas and Yeppoon, Australia.

There were plows, gas chambers, mechanical trains and rusty plungers but which of them would conquer all?

Which would become the de facto “Wave Pool.”

Well, a decade on, the original seems to have so thoroughly smashed its opponents that “Wavegarden” is now shorthand for surf tub.

Amusement Today reveals, in a stunning new report, that, “Wavegarden is currently the company with the most operational surf parks worldwide. To date, it has nine facilities across four continents that have attracted over 2 million visitors and generated more than 35 million waves. Additionally, 10 projects are currently under construction, set to open between 2025 and 2026, with another 50 projects in development.”

Furthermore, “With an internal rate of return (IRR) over 20%, each facility has proven profitable. This success has inspired several clients to open additional facilities and consolidate their growth.”

And, “Wavegarden Cove is the most efficient and sustainable wave generator on the market, consuming only 0.3 to 1.0 kWh per wave, depending on its size and power – 10 times less than equivalent pneumatic systems. This energy efficiency can save between $2 million and $3 million USD annually. Furthermore, thanks to its low energy consumption, it is the only surf lagoon technology capable of being fully powered by solar energy produced on-site.”

Plus, “With a capacity of over 90 surfers simultaneously in the lagoon, our surfer capacity to lagoon size ratio is up to 4 times more than other surfing lagoons. Economically, this nearly triples revenue generation from the surf lagoon alone while benefiting other surrounding business units such as hospitality, accommodation, surf schools, and retail shops.”

In a word, or four, peace in our time.

Do you have thoughts on Wavegarden’s dominance or are you too worried about Tyler Wright’s wellbeing to care?

More as the story develops.