Wave Pools vs The Ocean

Can artificial surf ever match the ocean?

The Rise of Wave Pools 

Surfing has always been inseparable from the sea — shaped by tides, wind, and the moods of distant storms. But in the past decade, a new frontier has emerged: wave pools, human-made lagoons designed to deliver perfectly formed, machine-generated waves. 

For decades, surfers dreamed of controlling the uncontrollable — and now, technology has made it possible. Facilities from Texas to Tokyo are drawing inland crowds, offering consistent waves far from the coast. 

Indorider recently had our first taste of this revolution at Lost Shore Surf Resort, near Edinburgh, Scotland — Europe’s newest and most sustainable inland surf destination. 

We wanted to know: can a mechanical wave really compare to the raw energy of the ocean? And more importantly — what’s the environmental cost of surfing on demand? 

Sustainability: The Promise and the Paradox 

Wave pools are often marketed as a greener evolution of surfing. For people who live hundreds of kilometres from the sea, they can offer a chance to surf without flying to tropical destinations — potentially reducing emissions linked to surf tourism. 

But energy use is the crux of the debate. Lost Shore employs Wavegarden Cove technology, widely regarded as one of the most efficient systems in existence. It draws about 250–450 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per hour during wave generation, roughly 10 times less energy per wave than older pneumatic setups. The power it uses is similar to a ski lift. 

That’s still substantial — but Lost Shore mitigates it with a series of environmental measures: 

The facility also sits on a reclaimed quarry site, avoiding the ecological damage of new coastal construction. The lagoon uses a closed freshwater system with filtration and recirculation, minimizing waste and the need for constant refilling. The water is taken from a nearby canal.

These measures give Lost Shore an impressive sustainability profile — especially for a large-scale recreation facility. Yet the bigger picture remains complex. 

Even when powered by renewable electricity, wave pools depend on physical infrastructure: vast lagoons lined with concrete, mechanical wave arms, pumps, and treatment systems that all carry embodied carbon. There’s also the question of scale: as more pools are built worldwide, their cumulative impact could become significant. 

In short, Lost Shore may be one of the most energy-conscious examples today, but the model’s long-term sustainability depends on how fast renewable grids expand and how efficiently these pools are operated and maintained. 

How Energy-Intensive Are Wave Pools, Really? 

To put those numbers into perspective: 

The resort’s lodges, restaurants, and amenities also consume energy. Even with efficiency systems, total consumption likely sits in the thousands of kilowatt-hours per day. 

However, compared to other leisure complexes — think ski domes or indoor waterparks — Lost Shore’s footprint is relatively modest. More importantly, it’s designed for continuous refinement, with energy monitoring and on-site renewables helping to drive down its per-wave carbon cost. 

In a world where surfing’s carbon footprint is often dominated by air travel, a renewable-powered wave pool may actually represent a net improvement for many riders. 

Riding the Mechanical Swell 

Stepping into a wave pool is a surreal experience for anyone accustomed to traditional ocean surfing. At first glance, the water is completely still — as calm and clear as a swimming pool, yet somehow different. The lagoon at Lost Shore glimmers with natural transparency; there’s no artificial blue tint from painted concrete, just the pure, clean look of fresh water. Unlike a standard pool, there’s no sharp scent of chlorine in the air. In fact, the facility uses only a quarter of the chlorine of a regular swimming pool, making the experience feel more like wading into a pristine freshwater lake than a man-made basin. The water will be replenished from the local canal every few years, given the amount of surf wax that will have come off boards into the water; this is a concern when it goes back out into a natural habitat. Most surf wax contains petroleum jelly. 

Almost instantly, we missed the familiar tang of salt spray and the texture of sand beneath our feet. Then, as the machinery stirred to life, the silence gave way to a low, mechanical hum — the hidden heartbeat of this manufactured ocean. 

Then the lagoon stirs. A quiet mechanical rumble builds into a rhythmic pulse. Within seconds, a flawless wall of water rises, curling forward in slow motion before breaking cleanly down the line. 

Every wave is near-perfect — the same shape, height, and speed as the one before. For beginners, this predictability is gold. It eliminates the guesswork of ocean conditions and allows for fast, safe progression. You can repeat the same manoeuvre dozens of times until you nail it. 

For experienced surfers, it’s both exhilarating and eerie. There’s beauty in the precision, but something intangible is missing — the pulse of nature, the challenge of reading a living wave. 

In a wave pool, the environment is controlled. The variables that define surfing — wind direction, tide, current, wave period — are stripped away. What’s left is pure technique. 

It’s brilliant for coaching and competition training, yet lacks the emotional highs that come from connecting with the natural world. The pool is perfect; the ocean is alive. 

Freshwater vs. Saltwater: The Feel Beneath Your Feet 

One of the most fascinating differences lies in the water itself. Saltwater naturally provides more buoyancy due to its higher density — roughly 2.5% greater than freshwater. That subtle lift affects how boards paddle, glide, and turn. 

(Some wave pools including Abu Dhabi use salt water).

To test this, I rode a 6'2" thruster at 36 litres, compared to my usual 32-litre shortboard. Paddling felt smooth, and catching waves was effortless. But once up and carving, the difference revealed itself. 

The wave had far less power than I was used to, I had to stay in a small pocket so as not to lose the power. Although this was frustrating, it was also good practice at staying in the right part of the wave. 

The tail and rails sank deeper, and turns felt slower, less snappy. The board stayed engaged, but lacked that “pop” you get from the extra lift of seawater. It was a small but distinct shift — the water was more syrupy than the ocean. 

Still, the consistency was addictive. Catch one flawless wave, paddle back to the exact same spot, and catch another — no waiting, no wind shift, no surprise closeouts. It’s surfing distilled to its purest mechanical form. I caught eighteen waves in an hour, in the ocean that would be impossible. 

I loved the lineup, an orderly queue, no aggression, no competition for waves. 

Wave Pool vs. Ocean: A Side-by-Side Comparison 

Surf Culture and Connection 

Surfing has always been more than a sport. It’s a way of life shaped by patience, rhythm, and respect for the sea. There’s a spiritual quality to paddling out into the unknown. 

Wave pools change that dynamic. Everything is predictable. Some say that removes surfing’s essence — the communion with nature that makes it special. 

Yet, wave pools open doors. They make surfing accessible to people who live far from the coast, to those with physical limitations, or to learners intimidated by ocean power. They create inclusive spaces where technique can flourish, and community can thrive in new forms — from urban surf parks to inland championships. 

As surfing grows as an Olympic sport, these facilities will play a critical role in training athletes, testing equipment, and democratizing access. They don’t replace the ocean; they extend its reach. 

The Price 

Wave pools aren’t cheap — but then again, neither is flying from Europe to the tropics for constistent waves. We booked the Advanced Session, priced at £70, which sits at the higher end of European wave pool rates. That said, the quality easily justifies the cost. The technology at Lost Shore delivers waves that are noticeably more powerful, consistent, and dynamic than most other facilities. For the level of performance and precision you get, the price feels worth it. 

Of course, if you’re chasing daily surf sessions, a surf trip abroad may seem more cost-efficient in the long run — but unlike the ocean, a wave pool guarantees you’ll actually catch waves every time you paddle out. 

The Verdict 

Lost Shore Surf Resort stands out as a thoughtful blend of technology, design, and sustainability. Its use of renewable energy, efficient wave-generation systems, and site restoration efforts make it a model for future surf parks. 

Still, perfection has its price. Each mechanical wave requires power, machinery, and maintenance — while the ocean gives its waves freely. No matter how efficient the technology becomes, an artificial wave will always lack the depth and unpredictability of the real thing. 

But perhaps the question isn’t which is “better.” The two experiences serve different purposes: 

Together, they represent surfing’s evolution — the meeting of nature and innovation. 

“The pool is where you go to practice. The ocean is where you go to feel alive.” 

Wave pools bring consistency, accessibility, and progress. The ocean brings chaos, humility, and soul. Both will shape the next chapter of surfing — one powered by technology, the other by nature.