The Palm Springs Surf Club has had a rough year. Since an unexplained closure rendered the wave pool non-operational mere weeks after opening, it’s been mostly crickets from the facility. However, a new announcement from PSSC says the pool is back and open for business.
Though the wave pool was only open to the public for a few weeks, it somehow feels like PSSC has been around forever. We started hearing about it way back in 2018, when Cheyne Magnusson and Kalani Robb partnered with James Dunlop to transform the original Wet ‘N’ Wild waterpark in Palm Springs, California into a prototype. A year later, the test pool was finished, and we started to see promotional videos featuring pro surfers on the wave. However, COVID came along and the opening date was pushed back multiple times. Despite the fact that a steady stream of pro footage was still coming out, it was unclear when the park would actually be open, or if it ever would.
Then, in fall of 2023, an announcement came that the pool had a new opening date: January 1, 2024. Even more surprisingly, the new year rolled around and the club did, in fact, open. Though some balked at the rather steep pricing (starting at $200 an hour), sessions quickly began to book up. It was looking like the hype behind the pool that Snapt creator Logan Dulien dubbed “the heaviest pool slab on earth” was going to finally pay off.
However, it all came to a crashing halt just a few weeks later. For still-unexplained reasons, the pool suddenly became non-operational. Though other PSSC amenities were still open to visitors, there seemed to be no timeline on how long it would take to fix the pool, or even what was wrong.
Now, the wait for chlorinated waves in the baking hot desert sun appears to be over. On Wednesday evening, PSSC sent out an email to its mailing list that announced it was, once again, open for business. Upon checking the website, the booking system appears to indeed be operational.
“We’re stoked to finally share that the wait is over!” read the announcement. “We thank you for your patience and for being a part of the Palm Springs Surf Club community & mailing list. Before we announce anywhere else online, we’re excited to let you know that surf sessions are now available and live on our website, ready to be booked. As you’ll see, there have been some adjustments to our sessions, including the debut of an exciting, brand-new session on our calendar! We are thrilled to have you back!”
The new feature the club is teasing is something called “The Five Slabs of Fury.” PSSC website copy describes it as a fast wave with a top to bottom tube right off the takeoff. Afterwards, there is an opportunity for carve and possibly a “hittable section” at the end, depending on which wave of the set you’re on.
Let’s hope it stays open long enough to try it out.
