Surfing at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, Orlando, Florida

[Surf]

Me and four friends rented all of Disney's Typhoon Lagoon this past weekend in order to use there huge wave pool for surfing, I will do my best to describe what surfing at Typhoon Lagoon is like.
We reserved the park a few months ago, and just by luck the temperature dipped sharply to about 45 degrees, with the lagoon water quite chilly as well. We were greeted by Angie, the event manager at the gate at 2pm. (this was due to the fact that the water park was closed this day because of the cold weather. Normally the surf sessions will be held befor the park opens, or after the park closes. Angie called us the day befor to tell us that the park wouldn't open at the Saturday and we could move out session up from 5:30pm to two, if we liked. This was a good idea, because if we would have waited until dark, it would have only gotten colder!)
It was a picture perfect day, other than the cold. Nice and sunny. We got into our wetsuits and then gathered around for the rules of the pool. Basicly, there are two lifegaurds (one on each side of the pool) Angie, the event manager, and the engineer who runs the wave computer. One session is 100 waves - one wave every 90 seconds. You are allowed to change the type of wave every twenty-five waves.

There are three types of waves.
"Right" and "Left" waves (one person allowed at a time)
and "A-Frames" (two people at a time)
You must stay about 20 feet from the wall at the back of the pool (Angie said this is due to the dump doors, which once produced enough backwash to suck up a surfboard) And all other surfers must stay behind a red line on the floor in the middle of the pool, while waiting their turn to paddle back out.
I went with five total people in the water (which is the perfect number) We never let a single wave slip by but were all tired after running around the pool for two hours racing to catch the next waves.
Most would agree that it is easiest to simply paddle back out on A-Frames (center breaking wave) while its fastest to run (yes, they allow you to run) around to one of the four staircases and jump into the water.
As far as the waves go, they are pretty fun, and the sound they make is a little scary! Its a combo of a toilet flushing and two freight trains crashing into one another. Any what makes it a little scary is the fact that there is no wave.... then you hear this crashing sound... then a 6 foot wave jumps out right underneath you!
This was a great time, and we are planning a trip in the summer. you can view pictures of our trip here

http://shimp.sightsmith.com/typhoon.html

there are more pics and quicktime moveis of our trip here-

http://surf.sightsmith.com/typhoon.html

More will be added when I get the film back.
Hows that for mindless spending... life is too short to worry about what things cost.

[Frieda]

wow surf! great pictures! haven't checked the movies yet, but i will as soon as i get home tonight.. is that some kind of artifical wave they create or something? we have something similar in a water park, but that's indoor.. but still fun!

[Surf]

yep, its a big water park with a huge wave pool. it was superfun.

[RuneT]

I want to play too!

It looks fun. And man!, that sound! sclllllllrrrp!

[surflugen]

Hey Surf, A friend I met in Costa Rica sent me video of us in C.R. and along with it was video of him and his friends (10 all together) surfing Typhoon Lagoon. It looks like a lot of fun considering the crowd problem I have here. Nice shape, clear water, ok size. He told me that each of them paid $100 for a half day of the pool. That was in 97. Is it still about the same? I am spoiled with size and consistancy here on the west coast but would pay for a day of fun at the park away from the crowds if it was reasonable. Last year I paid to enter a Pro/Am contest and made it through two rounds. $50 to surf (competitivly mind you) Lower for 30 mininutes with only 5 others at the peak was prety good.

[Surf]

true- monday-thursday its 1200$
friday and saturday its 1400$
price is up to twenty people
100 waves
wave every 90 seconds
you can change the type of wave every 25 waves.
anytime before the park opens, or after it closes.

[masterofNone]

wait, I thought surf was surf. Surf isn't surf? which surf is which? Who's on Surf?

[Surf]

word

[surflugen]

Well I was wondering when this other "Surf" would show up. Although I have not frequented Ze board over the last month, I never saw this so called "Surf" while I was on from Nov-mid Jan. I didn't correct anyone who called me "Surf" thinking this other guy was going to continue to be a no-show. No mater. You can call me Lugie as that is what all my coaches through school called me.