Wave Pools for Dummies w/ Ben Gravy

[@rebel-yell9453]

I rode Big Surf in Tempe Arizona in 1973, it sounded like you were sitting in the middle of the worlds biggest toilet. The waves were small, the crowds were almost unbearable I got maybe one or two waves to myself the whole day. There were times when boards weren't allowed then times for surfers. It was an interesting side trip as I was heading out to Huntington Beach from Miami to live there. So the last wave I remember riding before I got to HB was a waist high mushball in Arizona, then the first wave I saw as I got on top of the last hill before the pier on Main Street, was washing the bottom of the pier. I immediately fell in love with HB and I think I broke all time records, for finding a parking spot, parking, putting on my spring suit, grabbing my board off the racks and paddling into the lineup. Wave tops were smashing the end of the pier, what a way to start a new life!!! Don't know if Big Surf even still exists, they had this huge tank with like 20 thousand gallons of water, and a big flap that opened all at once on the bottom, the water came down from the tank, hit a curve at the back of the pool, then hit a bump on the floor of the pool in front of the tank which caused it to rise up and form a wave. It took about a minute or two to refill the tank for the next wave. Plenty of time to grab a burger, down a coffee, and paddle back to the lineup.

[@basdobbelaere940]

That intro just perfectly describes Ben Gravy's life. And we freaking love it! Greets from a Belgian surfer, where wind is our bread and onshore is our butter.

[@davidreifka3034]

I was definitely born in the wrong era. I am 70 years old and my surfing days were in the 1960's and 1970's. We would have been so stoked to have been able to do something like wave pools. Oh well, my loss. I watch a lot of your stuff on KZbin. Stay stoked, Ben Gravy!!

[@mitseraffej5812]

David Reifka. I too surfed that era. Didn’t need wave pools because there weren’t the crowds. Just wish we had decent boards. Watch old footage of the pros and compare it to today’s surfing. The boards were so slow.

[@davidreifka3034]

Yep Mit, my first surfboard, which I got for Christmas in 1964 when I was 15 years old, was a 9'4" Duke Kahanamoku -- Hawaii model (made by Ole Surfboards). It had five hardwood stringers and a hardwood noseblock and tailblock and it must have weighed around 30 lbs. It was a true example of the reason that surfboards were called "logs" in those days. I later got a more modern shortboard, in the late 1970's, that was made by Infinity Surfboards in Huntington Beach, California, and was made of lightweight foam, but, I only surfed actively for a few years after that, so, I never got to experience the more modern technology. Actually though, I'm pretty sure that it would be very hard to find natural waves that could compare with the perfection of the waves at Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch in California. That place is truly amazing!!

[@mitseraffej5812]

David Reifka . Yes Slaters wave is stunning, one thing I do notice is that the lip is quite thin. I doubt if it would have the raw power of an ocean going swell of 20 plus second period hitting a reef or even a good sand bar. To replicate that I guess the sled would have to displace more water at a faster rate, requiring way mor energy to run it. Regarding boards I think the designs took a retrograde step in the early 70s. I still remember my first wave on a thruster, coming out of the first turn felt like I was being squirted out of a tube of tooth paste. I haven’t surfed for a few years now but my last board was a 7 foot hybrid sort of thing. 3 fins, short board tail with plenty of width through the middle and front. This board gave me several more years of competing with the youngsters, especially in larger waves.

[@vickiepate6597]

Your never to old. 8 bet u could still catch u a wave🤙🤙

[@kevinm5564]

Love the video essay! Fun change of pace from the VLOG. I know I would enjoy seeing more of these.

[@kindness1635]

The History of Artificial ( yet worthy ) STOKE ! Ben Gravy bein' groovy , again and again ... and...I have come to the conclusion that the most wonderment that I get from Ben's surfing is his topnotch ability to have fun riding rubbers. I've never seen that anywhere by anyone. All of the constructed waves looked fun and interesting , and I am so glad that you bring us dry-docked ( 50 years of too much stress on my body from ... chasing the stoke ) friends have left me SO appreciative of what you and your team bring to us. Keep bringing it , Mr. Groovy !

[@pkrbdude]

I think wave pools are a commodity, like you said it’s a lot more gratifying catching a wave in the ocean, great vlog!

[@mattsullivan2117]

I can see surfing and snowboarding becoming more similar from a cultural standpoint as wave pools become more common. Wave pools will become equivalent to groomed resort trails, ocean waves will become equivalent to backcountry powder days, especially since both need specific weather conditions to be ideal. Not that this is a bad thing.

[@troytaylor5824]

Wave pools are the greatest thing to ever happen to surfing. So many awesome example already. I want one. For the Dream!

[@kohenshlom]

excellent video !!! top of the line !love your channel !!! i dream abut the day they will bring waves closer to us (key west ), driving 7 hours just to find bad condition is not fun at all ! and driving back is hard ! IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL TO KNOW THAT AFTER THE DRIVE AT LEAST YOU GET A PERFECT WAVE ...(didnt Kelly slater pool supposed to come to flroida already ?) it can bring surfing to places that couldnt even dream about surfing !

[@JeffSanchez19]

Mate, I see the wave pools like just a controlled environment where you can practice and a good alternative to have some fun when the ocean is crazy. Great video mate, killing it as always.

[@williamhankins4038]

Yo Ben ... yes wave-pools are definitely here to stay and help the stoke ... but there is nothing like getting out into the living ocean and being a part of nature ... whether a a solid south swell here on the left coast or a awesome cold nor’easter in Jersey or an amazing river wave in Montana ... I appreciate what you are doin out there for the dream ... have a great day!

[@grayfam8]

Ben, another enjoyable video with my morning coffee. It showed the future and had the history of surfing wave pools with you included. Doesn’t get any better than that! Ben, you have no idea how your videos make my day! Thank you!

[@KismetBP]

Wonderful Video. Makes me want to get back into Surfing. Maybe I'll bring my kids and get them some lessons at a wave pool.

[@Just_here_for_fun]

You are the MAN for turning me on to Xavy Rusan! That guy drops sick beats! Thank you!

[@revolutioncon9483]

Hey Ben, you should do a bloopers/outtakes reel some day. That’d be sweet. Good vibes brother!

[@louelagoneo]

Love the work that you put in this video, super informative! Hope to surf with you soon here in Philippines!🤙🏼

[@xAdsn]

such an inspiration i love your 9 foot log.

[@daywolf1403]

Wave pools can do nothing but possitve for surfing in my opinion. This video resolidified it for me. Much love keep doing your thing bro wild enthusiasm keep the dream real!

[@colbs1602]

I’ve been watching since you had 10k subscribers!You are a true legend Ben

[@flangemccann235]

Dude you got to come to Australia and hit Surf Lakes in Queensland. Surely they would let you surf it if you asked them. Definitely the best set up.

[@theoverstoker3430]

I think not everyone can afford to surf wave pools all of the time so it’s kinda like a fun thing to look forward to that just adds to surfing. Most people will surf in the ocean and every once and awhile plan a pool day! I think it’s sick it just adds a new element to surfing 🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@thebarnyard]

Ben, your editing skills are off the hook!!

[@BenGravyy]

Mike Grogan thanks !!

[@raelsidoroff1239]

Surfing skills not so much

[@Leo-qy1gn]

Your videos are getting better and better, always amazing to watch, Definitely helps me, going through back surgery and no surf for a good while. Thanks 🙏.all the support from Margaret river 🥳

[@lyssp5733]

Can’t wait till I can move back to the coast! this video makes me miss surfing everyday so much

[@BenGravyy]

surfing every day is the dream!!

[@mitchellpanes6363]

Surfing erryday is mando

[@donnagilio8938]

wave pools are the future for surfing, especially as the best surf spots get more and more crowded. I will go. Waiting for a surf pool to open here in Reno, NV. That way, I dont have to go to so cal everytime I want to surf. love your videos.

[@jamiileighton7647]

Dude!! Love your channel. The Ocean wins hands down. That said, what an amazing time to be alive. Imagine [if you're "old" like ...well like someone who's old - it ain't too polite to be pointing this kind of thing out so let's just move on, shall we? ... ] ;)~ ...meanwhile back at the [surf] ranch: ...imagine back before the horse when there were no wave pools and you had no choice-in the middle of the country-but to surf your local irrigation ditch. The dung pits were rife with the wrong kinds of life and there weren't no Surfline for to give you no claim - they called them there 'good-for-nothins' surf scouts back then anyhoot and the three weeks it took to get word back to the team meant that the swell had likely subsided [if it was even real to begin with ...it ain't nothin' new that you can't trust a white man getting paid too much to do somethin' as simple as look, note, and report back asap...but this digression has used up all my vocabulary and I'll have to leave this here a "to be con-tin-ya'd"] ....shaka!

[@gregorylongmuir4036]

Chur bro great clip Still no wave pools in New Zealand thank god we have lots of great uncrowded line ups 🤙🌊

[@projectrc4610]

I have surfed my whole life and can’t imagine how amazing those wave pools are so sick

[@benchappell9204]

Epic! I share the same childhood memories growing up in va beach.

[@easyweaver9691]

The intro is actually amazing man. Love all your stuff

[@roiben-ari2375]

Sup, love the video if you ask me wave pools will not replace the natural wave but I sure hope they'll keep on growing and mabey some day i will have the chance to try one

[@kingsimaviation]

Love both but can’t beat having the connection with mother ocean! Great vlog!!!

[@matthewguajardo4821]

great video ben i like voiceover type of video!

[@tylergimblin9005]

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BROTHA. Just bought a 6’6 performer dude and I’m stoked

[@BenGravyy]

full stoke!!

[@johnswimcat]

Kelly's wave looks amazing! So fast, so hollow, so smooth...

[@duncanreilly4070]

This is so cool pls keep up the great work Ben to make people like me smile thanks

[@BenGravyy]

Thank YOU!

[@grayfam8]

Especially people military veterans that are disabled. Ben fills that void! The only next best thing is to bring my folding chair and watch him live!

[@K4R70]

that intro got me so psyched!!!!

[@BenGravyy]

yewww

[@TheShawnm66]

I think a giant indoor wave pool in the St Louis area would be amazing! It would be exponentially better than getting worked at the Centaur Chute.

[@brennanboudreau6817]

I need to come to that chute!!!

[@justinmckenzie7213]

BSR is probably my favorite either that one or the Kehlani Robb pool. I looked in to prices of some pools and 5he kelly wave 😱😱😱😱OMG!! THATS A STEEP PRICE PER WAVE!

[@futureaztec5109]

That episode was way better than it looked. 🧯

[@christopheradams7942]

Great video Ben. Probably the best video on wave pools as a whole that I've seen. Has that Bruce Brown feel to it. 🤙✌👍

[@brianhoffman7068]

Great vlog. Looks like you use your arm to stall more in a wave pool than the ocean. Interesting

[@willchavez4957]

thanks for helping me to become a much better surfer. so inspiring! keep the dream alive! yewwwwww

[@BenGravyy]

stoked!

[@jody7865]

Surfed Typhoon Lagoon about 23 years ago. It was fun, but not like Kelly's wave pool. Would love to get a wave pool here in Virginia Beach. Wonder how expensive they would make it to get in and how crowded it would be?

[@markguitarlfk]

I live 13 minutes from Nland surf park (now closed) in Austin where I learned to surf (barely). I had a long Texas summer where I could get home from work and go surf for an hour or two. Every time I went I thought, OMG I'm so lucky what if this wasn't here, I'd miss it so much. I was right.

[@arthousefilms]

How was it learning to surf that way? Did you feel pressure in the lineup from people judging you as a newbie? Were people dicks as you were learning or were they cool? It seems like the advanced surfers would not be cool about people learning. Is the line up just like a regular one? Do you pay by the hour or what?

[@markguitarlfk]

@@arthousefilms Nland had 3 levels of waves and they cost $60-$90 per hour. However, they had a summer deal on the beginner wave for unlimited use at $200/month. People were very cool about kooks. Almost everybody on the beginner wave was a beginner and experienced surfers were on a different part of the wave so the two didn't mix. It was great exercise and I never got tired of it. It also gave me a chance to ride a whole bunch of different sized boards to see how different they are.

[@arthousefilms]

@@markguitarlfk Whoa, thanks. That makes me feel good. I grew up in Santa Cruz surfing and always wondered how the vibe would be on Wave pools. Sounds like a great way to teach a kid!

[@markguitarlfk]

@@arthousefilms For sure. There are a couple of huge advantages over the ocean for beginners: 1) it's warm water surfing without the salt and sharks; when a kid (or me) snarfs some salt water, it's pretty unpleasant. 2) the surf park is 95% surfing and 5% paddling instead of the other way around. I'm 60 and I doubt I could have achieved the fitness to learn in the ocean.

[@KirkF]

Love the wave pools!!! Love the Ocean!!! I can't decide so I will pick both!! :) Great vLog big dawg!!

[@SnowSkateShred]

I'm so hyped for the American Dream Wave Pool to open up and see you rip it, and then go to try it myself and absolutely blow it XD

[@dominicgermano6034]

New ben Gravy video...automatic like...best surfing vlog going...Nub nation for the win!!

[@BenGravyy]

haha thanks big dog!!

[@willwilliams2958]

Was waiting for the drop-in at Wildwater Kingdom! Good ol’ Dorney Park.

[@troy6155]

Hi Troy From Australia Love You're Work , Helps me to relax.

[@jamesnorwood4084]

Wave pools are terrific if you have them to yourself. How these parks regulate the traffic is an unknown quantity at this time. My "claim" is a simple one ... If there are no gold nuggets involved you can have it!

[@josephpetrilli5124]

great idea! Wave pools would be great for people have a busy schedule. 24 hour surf stadium that people can enjoy like the gym. A wave like Slater's pool. I would be settled with two rides like that!!

[@lzevon]

Damn dude, this was so well done. Crazy skills from the writing to the editing/production 🙏🏼

[@mattsullivan2117]

Ben Gravyy: Gets invited to Slater's Surf Ranch Also Ben Gravyy: Surfs in Slater's Surf Ranch's drainage ditch. Absolute legend.

[@REXONATER70]

Thanks for the video. Good to see these guys loving it.

[@kevintyrer45]

Awesome. You missed the novelty waves at Sun City South Africa. Opened December 1979. And I'm sure lots more not named. 😉

[@roberthiggins986]

I remember surfing “Big Surf” in Tempe, Az not long after it opened...no way did I ever think the technology would get to where it is now....wishing I was younger to try one of the high performance spots...for repetition to learn the mechanics of a new move, you couldn’t possibly ask for anything better...then bring it to the ocean to bring back the feel and sponteneity.

[@Momzahippie]

Awesome video man! So, how fast are you going when you're really ripping through a wave? Never been to the ocean or been surfing lol.

[@obsidian66]

About 15-20 mph! Some waves might be 30 and your Pro Mick Fanning! Water sensation doubles the feel of the speed to so it can sometimes feel like your going pretty fast, but your not!

[@Momzahippie]

@@obsidian66 Sounds awesome! Thanks for the reply!

[@jonoedwards4195]

Kicking Freckle Dude! A Slater Perso Invite? Next Level BG, Ooh-YeeeeeahH!

[@katherinehayward4082]

Wave pools are great because of the longer barrel ride. But I agree with you about being in the natural ocean because of its beauty and unpredictable stoke rhat can be had. For rhe Dream. Nub nation for the Win!

[@mR_m1sch13f]

My favorite semi pro, nub Nation FTW YEEWWWW!!!

[@godisbollocks]

Surf Lakes in Australia will be the best. 5 waves at the same time in the same pool, every wave has a left and a right, all different shaped waves breaking over different bottom contours. The wave called 'The Island' at their prototype facility in Yeppoon, Queensland is a proper heavy slab. Easy 3 or 4 second barrel. Properly hollow and heavy. And it's an incredibly simple and reliable concept. All that's required is for that great big weight to be lifted up in the air, through the power of steam, and dropped into the pool. Plus the water in the middle of the pool is extremely deep, which gives the waves a genuine ocean feeling.

[@BeachBumsk8]

Ben your vibe is contagious, how about a collab with the Smith Bro’s...1 hour special.... yeww🤙🏻

[@BenGravyy]

on it!!

[@BeachBumsk8]

Ben Gravy Glad I can share ideas with you.

[@shaneclark6863]

Wave pool surfing got Rick Cane to the champions!!! For the DREAM!!!!!

[@NoodlemanGaMe94]

EPIC!

[@geofffischer5038]

Always a brilliant expression of the joy of the sport. Great stuff

[@dustystarr2297]

Man I hope they blow up all over! I'm 10min from the beach but I'd definitely hit up a wavepool if they were close and reasonable. Thx for the stoke doggy!

[@Morlouda]

Shout out Dorney park and wild water kingdom!!!! Yewww!!! Hercules + wave pool + yoccos = EPIC!

[@jacksonduncan4051]

Scored some epic little ones yesterday in NJ!

[@stonecolby2751]

Haven't had the chance to ride a wave pool yet unfortunately. Everything is booked and I can't figure out how to try out Kelly slaters which looks like a dream. Any pointers on getting into Kelly slaters or is it invite only? keep shredding ben!!

[@IRL-sy6lx]

Recommended after Ho's surfing in Springs. Love both

[@ryansmith8877]

Ben your channel is top level

[@vantheman3857]

I would love to see a wave pool designed like the wedge with obviously easier exits and a more tame dragon tail, but still have the settings random so the backwash/sidewash with every wave is different. Also I think the quest for the biggest wave in a wave pool is the future 🤙🏽

[@parabola8933]

I just surfed BSR this weekend. It was quite impressive. Nice fast hollow wave.

[@The3boredguys]

I wish I could hit the like button more for these

[@canopybreezesoutdoors4916]

I worked at Typhoon but we could never run the wave bigger that 4’8” - 5’4” or literally every beach chair and all the sand would be washed off the beach and the right back into the pool. That would mean 20+ guards sweeping it all back out for over an hour. What a nightmare! 🤦🏻‍♂️ I cant wait to try the new stuff coming out. Just gotta learn how to stand up on a board first. Hey Ben! I loved your Slater shout out invite. That is SO FRIKIN’ cool bro. You’ve made it past 100K and got the KS shout out. What else is there?

[@Xavicasillas]

Amazing vid dude 🤘 nothing is good or bad it depends on the use you give it! Being on the ocean gives you a special connection with nature and the world and wave pools are mean to be a playground and a gym 😁 Pretty excited to try one and use all the tools on our environment

[@Who.is.Clinton]

For the dream, love your stuff Ben, you heard the GOAT too, stay real bro, chase those dreams...Victoria Falls in Zambia is calling you, river wave of excellence.

[@krustysurfer]

Rick Kane for President! Aloha

[@pauleagle9075]

More waves the better is my opinion in or out of the ocean. Keep the wave pools coming🌊

[@30yearoldgrom]

I think surf pools are for the win as it brings the surf in land. I couldn't agree with your more though with what you say at the end. I haven't had that experience yet but I cant wait. I bet there's no other feeling like it🌊🤙🍍

[@duncanreilly4070]

I am a beginner leaning an you are so inspiring

[@BenGravyy]

stay at it big dog!

[@nominio7]

Me too

[@rickchipman4477]

and...a-n-d. Don't skip your homework unless you want to grow up 2b stoopid.

[@babyjo9111]

SWEET!

[@mckayhead4791]

wow! great video ben! got some ideas for some wave pools for land locked people like me... FOR THE DREAM

[@nukenridge4921]

When it's the flat season you need the wave pool ,but that train pushing the waves and the curve Slater knew what to build .

[@arthurcwalina106]

surfing its you and the nature but to have place to practice its perfect will never replace real wave and the feeling but there should be more and more wave pools STOKED about idea of this thing progressing so fast "BUILD ONE IN EVERY STATE"would be the message haha for the dream

[@samschatz7195]

Go to surf lakes in Australia it seems so gnarly Bg for the dream

[@sando5943]

They are building one in America now possibly even bigger

[@ericdidomenico8873]

Anyone know when the north jersey on is opening to the public/how much

[@jgcgsgmg]

No, but it is going to be extremely expensive

[@ukutiki]

Never been in a wave pool......YET. From I can see, there's some pretty rad one's out there. There's a pool in the land down under that looks awesome, but so far from what I can see Slater's pool takes the cake!

[@temauiariivincent6571]

Hi bro, i am a tahitian surfer and for me in the ocean you have this connection with the nature.

[@johngrzelak7688]

Nothing like surfing in the ocean but for surfers like myself who lives in a land locked country like Switzerland a wave pool is a great alternative, I'm looking forward for the one that will be opening up its barrels normally next year in Sion just down the road from where I live.

[@douglaspearson3518]

Was the Texas wave the best wave pool u surfed as far as quality and time in the tube? That was Kelly Slater's park?

[@Chewygsxr]

Great video Ben, love the Stoke. 🤙🏼🍺

[@brucejenrich834]

Which one is the best? When does the Best Wave Pool in the World Tour begin?

[@mandatethis8024]

I wanna ride a 12’ heavy closeout, is that too much to ask? I grew up riding 15th st Newport so............ its all good

[@rebel-yell9453]

Been there, rode it, but back in the early 70's. Loved it BTW but not as much as SARJ.

[@lancecarmine3516]

I love that the JOB "I don't even know who Joe is" clip made it again to the vLog!! ..."totally inappropriate, for that conduct, this is not the ocean... you guys gotta go"... THAT'S JOE!! BaHAHAHA!! Yeoaw!!

[@Andre-gd6ns]

Dude American Dream Wave Pool in E Rutherford is opening soon!

[@BenGravyy]

Andre yewww

[@chandrarams4434]

finally a vid that comes out when im awake

[@BenGravyy]

haha yewww

[@chandrarams4434]

@@BenGravyy im a big fan im part of the grom nation

[@Builditfixituseit]

Dude! Been following you for everrrr! I've slayed snowdonia..got one in Bristol now🤙a little closer to home..which is Newquay 🤜🤛 hell yeah! Self gratification my dude 🏄‍♂️ 🤙

[@magiccheeseball]

the clorhine dream is on !

[@rylanfait9109]

8:33 its like learning a skate trick at a park and taking it to the streets

[@Ali.tselentis18]

Ben that's an absoloute banger video.And wave pools are sick. ❤ And yes Ben wave pools are sick but they just dont compare.