SurfLoch (company)
SurfLoch LLC (Formerly Surf Loch LLC) is an American wave technology and engineering firm based in La Jolla, California. The company designs and manufactures pneumatic wave generation systems for use in artificial surfing environments.
History
After selling the FlowRider business in 2014, Tom Lochtefeld went on to found SurfLoch. The company builds on Lochtefeld's earlier work with Wave Loch, a firm he founded in 1991 that used sheet-wave technology in products such as the FlowRider. SurfLoch was founded to develop pneumatic wave-generation technology capable of producing ocean-like breaking waves for traditional paddle-in surfing. The system differs from Lochtefeld’s earlier sheet-wave systems which require specialized boards instead of standard surfboards.
Technology
SurfLoch uses pneumatic technology that cycles compressed air through large watertight chambers, known as caissons, to displace water and generate waves. By firing these chambers in sequence, operators can produce a variety of wave patterns, including left and right-breaking waves or central peaks, depending on the pool size and chamber configuration. Installations such as the Palm Springs Surf Club use 12 chambers. The system is supported by software from Siemens’ Xcelerator portfolio and automation technology, and incorporates a MindSphere-based digital twin to optimize wave performance and manage water quality through active filtration.
Notable projects
Palm Springs Surf Club (PSSC)
The Palm Springs Surf Club operates a wave pool powered by SurfLoch's pneumatic system, developed on the site of a former water park in the Coachella Valley. The pool uses 12 caisson chambers and can accommodate up to 25 surfers at a time.
RiF010 Urban Surf
An urban regeneration project in Rotterdam, Netherlands, uses pneumatic technology to generate artificial waves powered by eight wind-driven engines from the North Sea. The pool can accommodate about 20 surfers and 18 learners at a time.