Lakeside Surf, one of the world's largest standing waves, has officially been ridden by its founders, Burke and Robert Bordner.
The artificial wave pool was built at the Slidewaters waterpark in Chelan, Washington. It is powered by German wave pool manufacturers, citywave.
Seven years after first connecting with the inventor of citywave, Rainer Klimaschewski, and CEO of the European firm, the Bordner's are now enjoying the fruits of their labor.
"It was such a monumental moment to be on the wave with Robert," Burke Bordner said.
"The project has stretched us in every conceivable way, and to get to the point of surfing was a testament to God's faithfulness and the value of perseverance."
The project has dealt with its share of setbacks, the most dramatic coming this summer with Covid-19 wiping out the 2020 season.
But now that testing is underway, the only wipeouts are from smiling surfers who have gotten the privilege to be one of the first surfers in the world to experience a 50-foot (16 meters) wide standing wave.
"The only way to really appreciate the size of this wave is to see it first hand," Robert Bordner said.
"We expect surfers from around the world to be blown away not only by the width of the wave but also the quality. The guys from citywave have taken their already fantastic product to a new level with our installation."
Open in April 2021
Lakeside Surf, the surf park facility that holds citywave USA, continues to catch up for time lost due to COVID-19 and plans to be ready for full operation coming out of winter in 2021.
Surf memberships for the 2021 season will be available for booking starting in September.
Surf sessions can be booked up to six weeks in advance. Lakeside Surf plans to open for the 2021 season in April.
Lakeside Surf, home of citywave USA, is a standalone surf park adjacent to Slidewaters Waterpark.
During Slidewaters' operational season, Lakeside Surf will operate in conjunction with the waterpark.
However, surfing opportunities will exist outside the waterpark's operations. Surf sessions will be available before, during, and after Slidewaters' operational hours.
In addition, Lakeside Surf plans to welcome surfers from April through October, whereas Slidewaters is only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Lakeside Surf will also have its own retail surf shop and food and beverage options for guests.