Colorado Springs now has a place to catch a wave without leaving the city. Surf Shack held its first day of operations at the Polaris Point commercial and retail development, with doors open from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday at 13208 Touchstone View.
The project was conceived and built by a Springs orthodontist who spent nearly three years planning the $10 million facility. Reaching opening day required pushing through a lengthy construction and approval process, with both budget constraints and permitting hurdles pushing the debut back on multiple occasions.
The heart of the operation is a FlowRider wave machine. The equipment, built by a San Diego company, uses a "double" configuration to generate a simulated surf experience; the setup supports two riders simultaneously and can cycle through roughly 20 to 30 participants per hour. Pricing is based on hourly sessions, with boards supplied by the venue rather than brought by guests. Securing municipal approval for the machine — including inspections and permits — was itself a drawn-out undertaking, the owner noted.
Beyond the wave machine, the building packs in a wide range of amenities. The two-story structure includes a sauna on the upper level, a pair of sand volleyball courts outside, a patio area with a hot tub, rooms for events and gatherings, locker facilities, and food and beverage service. The climate control system alone carried a price tag of $1.2 million. The owner has described his broader aim as bringing a coastal, relaxed atmosphere to a state with no ocean access.
The owner continues to work as an orthodontist, though he divested his practice some years back to devote energy to building the Surf Shack concept. He has also established a nonprofit, the Next Wave Learning Foundation, with a stated mission of supporting youth through mentorship and experiential learning; he envisions using it to organize visits to Surf Shack and other venues as a way to build academic and life skills in young people.
Saturday's opening allowed walk-in visitors, though the owner encouraged anyone wanting a guaranteed turn on the wave machine to reserve a spot in advance through the business website. Operating hours are expected to shift as the venue finds its footing, and checking the Surf Shack website before visiting is the recommended way to plan a trip.
A formal grand opening celebration is scheduled for September.