Here Is Where You Can Go Flowriding In New England
It’s not as easy as it looks, but it is as fun as it looks. If you’re unfamiliar, flowriding uses a smaller style board that is essentially part wakeboard, part balance board in a manmade wave pool. In addition, there are a few great places in New England where you can try flowriding.
This sport dates back almost 25 years. Tom Lochtefeld, the creator behind Waveloch, is often credited as the founder. Its popularity increased when Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines added a flowriding pool to their activity deck in 2006.
The activity itself looks a lot like surfing, wakeboarding, and skimboarding. In fact, many professionals in those respective fields (like Kelly Slater and Tony Hawk) have been big proponents for flowriding. However, hopping on the flowrider board is a very different technique. This is in part due to the fact that the raging waters and wave force pull up and against you. For example, if you are balanced and still on flowrider board, the waters will push you up the hill.
So, here is where you can try flowriding in New England
Aside from the various cruise lines that now offer flowriding as an activity, there are some great wave pools scattered around New England. To start, Jay Peak in Vermont has a very popular flowrider pool located in their Pump House waterpark. This is at the base of the Jay Peak ski mountain. This wave pool attracts resort guests in addition to local competitors who are out practicing. Though Jay Peak is the only location that is under the official Flowrider brand, Sky Venture in neighboring New Hampshire also offers indoor surfing. This past summer, founder Laurie Greer told WCVB-ABC Boston, “I wanted to create a place that you can come year-round.”
The 2023 Flowtour, which sees the best flowriders in the world compete, wrapped up in October. While you wait for the 2024 competition information to be released, you can learn more about Flowriding in Vermont by visiting their Jay Peak site.
