Surfing and other extreme sports are hot right now. But you don't have to be in Hawaii or Australia to experience an authentic wave-ripping ride. Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin and Sandusky, Ohio has made surfing a popular sport in the Midwest with the addition of the FlowRider, an indoor surfing attraction.
FlowRider Facts
- Kalahari's FlowRider is like a wave-in-a-box with 70,000 gallons of water flowing per minute.
- The FlowRider creates the intensity of a five-foot wave, equivalent to speeds up to 30 mph – similar to the flow of water propelling from a fire hydrant. The FlowRider waves cover a mat, like a trampoline, to ensure that falls are cushioned.
- More than 150,000 people have surfed the FlowRider at Kalahari Resorts.
FlowRider Surf Tips
To maximize the FlowRider experience, one-on-one lessons are available daily at Kalahari with expert FlowRider lifeguards. Some of the tips the instructors offer include:
- Imagine Riding a Bar of Soap. Because over 70,000 gallons of water rushes toward you on the FlowRider, you should begin by standing up on the flow board with the assistance of a lifeguard to get the feel of the wave under your feet.
- It's All in the Knees. Much like other board sport techniques, the secret to good FlowRider surfing is in the knees. If you keep your knees bent, you'll be able to better absorb the flow of the wave.
- Balance With Your Arms. Using your arms for balance is key so keep them out and not at your sides.
- Use Your Feet. Once you get the feel of it, you can use the rotation of your feet to "cut" back and forth through the waves, much like you would with a skateboard or a snowboard.
- Relax and Have Fun. Just like real surfing, you can't be tense on the FlowRider; you have to ride the waves or they'll ride you.