Waco Surf (BSR): The Complete Guide
Quick facts
| Wave tech | PerfectSwell · pneumatic |
|---|---|
| Session length | 60 minutes |
| Wave height (max) | 4.9 ft / 1.5 m |
| Waves per hour | 90 |
| Skill levels | All levels |
| Public pricing | from $129 per session |
| Boards | Soft-tops included with beginner sessions; rentals available for other levels; boards under 8 ft recommended. |
| Water | freshwater · Warm May to October, wetsuit season November to March · wetsuit rentals on site |
| Nearest airport | ACT (Waco Regional), 20 min drive |
| Address | 5347 Old Mexia Road, Waco, TX 76705 |
| Last verified | July 2026 |
Wave settings and pricing
The Coaster
Rolling whitewater and small faces with coaches in the water. Soft-top included.
from $129/hr shoulder, $139 to $159 peak
Book The CoasterThe Runner
Lined-up faces in three-wave sets with sections for carving and generating speed. Bring your own board.
from $139/hr
Book The RunnerThe Peak
Steep takeoffs and punchy sections, 30 minutes of rights then 30 minutes of lefts, max 12 surfers.
from $159/hr, up to $189 peak
Book The PeakPrivate session
Whole pool, up to 15 surfers. 50+ wave types on the menu, 30 to 50 waves per hour. Works out as low as $83 per surfer.
from $1,250/hr
Book privateAround Waco
Where to sleep, eat, and burn the hours between sessions. Hand-picked and honest.
Stay
- Waco Surf lodging (on-site)on site
Hotel rooms, cabins, surf houses, and RV hookups steps from the pool. Overnight guests get priority booking on sessions before public release — the single best hack at this pool.
Visit - Hotel Herringbone20 min
Boutique rooms downtown, walkable to the Silos.
- AC Hotel Waco Downtown22 min
Reliable Marriott option near the riverfront.
Eat
- On-site food and baron site
Burgers, snow cones, and beach-side service, so you never have to leave between sessions.
- Guess Family Barbecue20 min
Central Texas brisket done properly.
- Milo All Day22 min
Southern brunch that fixes a two-session morning.
- Magnolia Table22 min
The Gaines flagship. Expect a wait, the biscuits are the reason.
Do
- Waco Surf water parkon site
The Wedge slides and a lazy river alongside the pool, May to September.
- Magnolia Market at the Silos20 min
The reason non-surfing family members agree to this trip.
- Waco Mammoth National Monument25 min
An actual ice age dig site, weirdly great.
- Cameron Park20 min
Cliff trails and swimming holes on the Brazos River.
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Getting there
Waco Surf (BSR) is at 5347 Old Mexia Road, Waco, TX 76705.
- ACT · Waco Regional20 min drive
- DFW · Dallas/Fort Worth105 min drive
- AUS · Austin-Bergstrom105 min drive
Best time to visit
Water and air are warm May through October, November through March is wetsuit season but sessions are cheaper and easier to book. Peak-season weekends sell out fastest, so book the month you want the moment it releases 4 to 6 weeks ahead.
Events
The technology
Waco Surf (BSR) runs on PerfectSwell (American Wave Machines) — a pneumatic system from Solana Beach. Rows of pneumatic (air-pressure) chambers along the pool wall displace water on command. Firing patterns are fully programmable — vacuum draws water down, then pressure releases it as a swell. Because chambers can be fired in any combination, PerfectSwell can generate peaky A-frames, hollow tubes, and steep launch pads inside a single session.
Opened in 2018 at BSR Cable Park on the outskirts of Waco. American Wave Machines' PerfectSwell was the first pneumatic system to reliably produce hollow, high-performance sections at volume. Waco has hosted Stab High from 2018 onward and became the on-screen backdrop for a generation of aerial surfers: Noa Deane, Chippa Wilson, Eithan Osborne, Erin Brooks.
Frequently asked about Waco Surf (BSR)
+How much does it cost to surf at Waco Surf?
Public sessions run $129 to $159 per hour plus tax for beginners and $159 to $189 for advanced, depending on season. Private pool rental starts at $1,250 per hour for up to 15 surfers.
+Do I need my own surfboard at Waco Surf?
No for beginners: a soft-top is included with every beginner session. Intermediate and advanced surfers bring their own or rent; boards under 8 ft are recommended for the pool depth.
+How far in advance should I book?
Sessions release online 4 to 6 weeks before each month and popular slots book out about two months ahead. Staying on-site gets you booking priority before public release.
+What wave technology does Waco Surf use?
PerfectSwell by American Wave Machines, a pneumatic system known for punchy peaks and air sections. It is the pool that made airborne surfing a contest format.
+Is Waco Surf good for beginners?
Yes. The Coaster setting runs gentle rolling waves with coaches in the water, boards included, and an optional Beginner Academy add-on for $49 to $59.
+Can non-surfers come along?
Yes. Companions can buy a beach pass, and the property has a water park, lazy river, pickleball, fishing, and on-site lodging.
+How far is Waco Surf from Dallas and Austin?
About 1 hour 45 minutes from either, which is why Texans call it the halfway wave.
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