Blair Conklin does some very scientific research into the skimmability of Surftown MUC. Photo: Skid Kids // YouTube
In recent years, it seems like every week brings a new announcement of some game-changing new wave pool technology or facility. Then, after the initial hype train passes, the finished product often underwhelms or flat out doesn’t work. On the other hand, it’s fun to get excited about new things, and the technology really is exciting, at least on paper.
Enter O2 Surftown MUC. The pool will be the first offering from the company Endless Surf, which uses a pneumatic system similar to American Wave Machines’ PerfectSwell technology. In fact, the pool is so similar that the two companies entered into a patent dispute over it.
The facility is still wrapping up construction, but the pool itself is operational. Naturally, this means that surfers from around the world are currently flocking to the facility to check out what all the fuss is about. The latest athlete to snag an invite is Blair Conklin, who tested out the wave’s viability for finless shenanigans. “We think it could be one of the most skimmable pool waves we’ve ever seen,” he said, on his way to try it out for the first time. “Pretty much one of the most beautiful pools I’ve ever seen, too.”
After a few runs in the pool’s blue, glassy water, Conklin seemed to think it was pretty damn viable. From tweaking the wave for air sections to landing one of the longest pool barrels of his life, the wave proved eminently skimmable.
“I think I’m moving to Munich,” he summed up afterwards.
