The perfect night cap. The shot was a complete accident. My flash fired for the previous frame and the next frame was shot with no flash. The result was a perfect PM profile

TYPHOON LAGOON - THE FUTURE IS NOW!
by
Danny Moody

Even though WaveWatch.com was calling for flat, unrideable ocean conditions. The swell was a flawless three- to-six feet. Every 90 seconds a perfect A-frame formed up in front of us. It was too easy.

All Florida surfers know the routine. For weeks on end they call the surf report or quickly look at the surf conditions on-line. They always know they will get the same answer; "flat and un-ridable." It's summer in Florida. Muscles start to soften from lack of paddling and boards find a somewhat permanent place in the corner. Somewhere in Florida, though, there is always a perfect 4-6 foot wave. Most nights, about every 90 seconds, some lucky surfer is paddling into a clean, glassy peak.

A little over a month ago, I received a phone call from long time Jupiter resident, Brett Duff. Brett wanted to plan a trip to Disney World near the beginning of August. Having two young kids (being a kid myself) I said, "Sure, that sounds like a fun family trip." Brett then interrupted me. "Danny, I mean a guys trip to Disney World." The phone fell silent as I started to imagine myself posing for photos with Winnie the Pooh while wearing my favorite Mickey Mouse ears. Brett broke the silence by clarifying that he wanted to surf the giant wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon at Disney World. My awkwardness turned to excitement.

Typhoon Lagoon’s central attraction is a gigantic wave pool. During normal operating hours, the pool generates a 3-4 ft wave that sends a wall of water careening into hundreds of swimmers. The sight is humorous as kids and adults brace for impact like a scene out of …a normal beach day. The screams of laughter and fear can be heard from the entrance of the park.

Our trip was like most to the wave pool; with two exceptions. Pro Surfer, Peter Mendia was on tap to give many of us a few pointers, and yours truly was brought along as the pro photographer to properly document the night.

The group convened at 6:30 near the entrance to the park to be guided back to our staging area. Since the park was still open, we were greeted with stares from the regular guests as we passed by with the park announced that it was officially closed and it was about time for our fun to start.

When the pool was finally cleared out, the first wave was injected into the pool. A perfect split peak came firing out of the end of the pool, crested and then curled into whitewater as it charged toward the shallow end. The pool can be set up into three configurations: right waves, left waves and split peaks.

Now that we knew what we were up against, the first two surfers stepped into the pool. They paddled to the take off area and waited. The huge hydraulic and pneumatic pumps fired with a giant whooshing sound. The wave was fired and the surfers easily paddled into the head high crest.

One left and one right. Each makes a tight bottom turn then charges the face to carve the lip. Hoots and hollers rise up from our small group and from the remaining spectators that have not yet been escorted from the closed park. The next two surfers enter the water. 90 seconds from the first wave, the next peak is forming. This process took place 125 times that night. 125 perfect waves fired every 90 seconds.

Just over three hours after the first waves were generated, 8 very tired and slightly bruised surfers picked up there boards and started for the exit of the park. With each step came a chuckle and a grin from the memories that we had just recorded in our minds and on film.

Typhoon Lagoon is available, upon request, to be rented for its surfing. General information can be found at www.disney.com. Information about rates and available dates can be obtained by calling the Typhoon Lagoon surfing hotline directly at (407) WDW-SURF.

As the demand for year round Florida surfing increases, keep an eye on future wave pools. Ron Jons Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach, FL is currently constructing their new state of the art Ron Jons Surf Park in Orlando, FL. The park is tentatively scheduled to open in early 2007. This park will be one of a kind. Designed for all skill levels, surfers will be able to choose between multiple wave pools. For more information about the new Ron Jons Surf Park please visit http://www.ronjonsurfpark.com/ .

PETER MENDIA – Q&A

SURFERMAG.COM: How many times have you surfed Typhoon Lagoon?
PETER MENDIA: Four, that I can remember

SURFERMAG.COM: What board would you recommend for the pool?
PETER MENDIA: An Epoxy 6’ 2” squash tail thruster

SURFERMAG.COM: What break would you compare the Typhoon Lagoon wave to?
PETER MENDIA: Doheny on a classic 1’ day, but a little cleaner

SURFERMAG.COM: How was surfing in the dark?
PETER MENDIA: Waves were transparent – it was like Braille surfing

SURFERMAG.COM: How big were the waves?
PETER MENDIA: The biggest Florida saw all summer

SURFERMAG.COM: Did any groupies follow you in to the park
PETER MENDIA: Yeah, I thought so, until I found that they were some other surfers’ wives.

SURFERMAG.COM: Did you see Mickey Mouse?
PETER MENDIA: No, but Donald duck tried to snake me.

SURFERMAG.COM: Did you pee in the pool?
PETER MENDIA: Yeah, the purple dye theory is true

SURFERMAG.COM: Plans to surf it again?
PETER MENDIA: Definitely, and looking forward to new pools like Ron Jon’s Surf Park

SURFERMAG.COM: Do the mutton chops slow you down more in freshwater?
PETER MENDIA: On the low cutties.