It's called a flow rider. They're alot of fun. The major difference between a flow rider and surfing is that when you're playing around with the flow rider you've got no fins. The boards are a whole lot like a skimboard but much more narrow. Some have bindings and some don't, depends on your skill level. All in all it's alot of fun but when it comes down to it, it's no substitute for the real thing, but it's definitely a VERY CLOSE 2nd!!!!
There was a thread like this on surfingoc or delsurf a while ago and I think someone found info. on the cost of owning one of these and it was in millions with insurance and everything. So if you can afford it, I say do it up.
That I can understand... it is OC afterall, the town rich on booze. BUT, that's all good, I say do whatever you can to cover the cost of the flowrider. Looks pretty fun, I'd give it a go. I've heard from a friend of mine opening a bar that getting a liquor liscense is a little bit tougher around here, but I think being that your providing a place to enhance the "surf culture" of this place, you would be alright. Understand that your going to help out OTHER peoples businesses along with the tourist draw. Not much not to like for the money people of this town.Originally Posted by wavehunter
I do really think you would make enough when the season was on. Think about it, that's what pretty much EVERYONE does down here. Right now this place is shut down, but on season you'd have loads of tourists lined up for a ready made wave, and if they're parents could get all bombed up in the meantime, it's a sure shot... go for it man. And I do think you would get some people in the off season, just not nearly as much. Prob enough to stay open tho. I'd definately be there during flat spells, either riding it or getting loaded watching people eat it. DO IT. Good Luck!!!
What was it before Diesel? I'm old and way out of the Nightclub scene in OC.
That unfortunate that you can't come up with a viable business plan that doesn't include servicing alcohol. The liability insurance on this is going to be through the roof to begin with. Have you talked to any underwriters to see if they would cover this venture if you served alcohol? Do you know if any of the other standing wave places serve alcohol? How about making it a part of a sports complex with batting cages, laser tag, video games, etc? Something that you could draw kids for birthday parties and that type of thing. You could serve food there and you can make some money with that. Not booze money, mind you, but real money to cover some of the expenses. Maybe the standing wave would be better as a part of an existing water park, like the one at Jolly Rogers. Maybe work out a deal with someone like that to bring in your equipment and rent space from them. You will have the captive audience from the water park guests, some of whom may choose to pluck down the extra money to try out the wave.
Just a few ideas for you.
I seem to remember something about Six Flags considering openning a water park, which may have included a wave machine in West OC or somewhere around St. Martins, a couple of years ago. I don't think the #s worked out for them. I would think a location like the old Diesal Niteclub would be to expensive from the Real Estate investment required. I know of a major wavepool in Japan that just closed because profit margins where never met. This would require a serious committment and would be quite risky as far as a business idea. Power to you, but my take would be if it wasn't a really well done park, people would become tired of it quickly.
there are already plans for one from the rumors i hear...
Last edited by South Bethany; Feb 22, 2008 at 01:26 PM.
Time will tell, there a ton of obstacles to overcome and insurance is just the tip of the iceberg. It's hard to run a business that makes 90% of its income in 5 months out of the year. Anyone who has a business in Ocean City can attest to that. Ocean City requires ridiculous insurance coverage ($2M liability minimum) and covering costs in about 150 days per year is close to impossible, but hey, there are a ton of businesses.... my friends, who make it work, so like I said, time will tell.
$2million in liability is not very much coverage if I were you having something like that I would want a lot more. You should have atleast $300,000 to a million just driving a round. Good luck finding insurance if you are serving alcohol, no insurance company in their right mind would give you coverage becuase the likely hood of someone breaking their neck on the wave after a few drinks is extremely high, even if they know what they are doing. Carson's idea about having batting cages, go carts, etc sounds a lot more viable.
Obviously there would be "bouncers" who would use their better judgment just like every other similar establishment in the area. Ideally, alcohol is for the dining aspect, not so you can get tanked and then go kill yourself on the flowrider. I mean, it works out in a handful of other places around the country, but I think that the serious barrier to entry is the seasonality of OC.
Reply With Quote
