The SurfLoch Story
The Journey
1981- Surfer and developer Tom Lochtefeld partners with others to develop Raging Waters waterparks in San Dimas, San Jose, and Salt Lake City. After years of success, Lochtefeld envisions a ‘new wave’ and begins R&D to build the next evolutionary species of wave machine.
1989- Lochtefeld test rides a prototype of what would become the FlowRider®
1995- First international competition of flowboarding takes place. Competitors include world surfing champion Kelly Slater, snowboarding legend Terje Haakonsen, and skate pros Tony Hawk and Chris Miller.
1996- The October “future issue” of Surfer magazine dedicates two pages to Tom Lochtefeld and the Florider®. By 1997, there are over 11 installations worldwide
1999- Wave Loch designs and built the world’s first mobile FlowBarrel® sponsored by Swatch and Siemens. There were 9 tour events scheduled in Europe, Asia, America, and Australia.
2001- The world's first Wave House venue opens in Durban, South Africa. Featuring a Double FlowBarrel, two FloRiders, a 40,000 sq. ft. Tony Hawk designed skate park, and a restaurant, and two bars.
2005- Wave House San Diego, USA opens.
2006- Wave Loch installs its first shipboard FlowRider® on Royal Caribbean’s newest mega-vessel, Freedom of the Seas.
2009- Wave House Sentosa, Singapore opens.
2013- Switched all Surf Pool R+D to Pneumatics.
2020- Simultaneous opening of the first two full-sized Surf Pools.