“Guests don’t want to hear that something is broken,” says Brian Purdy, building systems director of Wilderness Territories, which operates Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. “That’s why it is imperative to have a good system in place for prevention before a little problem becomes a big problem requiring a lengthy downtime.”

Preventive maintenance is even more imperative for indoor facilities. “At indoor facilities like many of today’s waterpark resorts, there’s no downtime because the facility is open year ’round. That makes it even more essential to remain vigilant to signs of stress,” says Matthew Freeby, a project leader at Water Technology, a Beaver Dam, Wis.-based aquatics planning, design and engineering firm.

Keeping it running
To maintain any wave pool properly, perhaps the first rule is to know your system and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. “Operators need to know when things are due for regular service. It’s like changing the oil in a car: You don’t want to wait until something breaks. You have to stick to a regular maintenance schedule,” says Andy Tymiak, product manager, mechanical systems, at Whitewater West Industries in Columbus, Ohio, for nearly 18 years.

The two main types of wave-generating systems in use today — pneumatic and hydraulic — are capable of creating large surfing waves for adrenaline-seeking teenagers, or slight ripples that lap up to a zero-depth beach where toddlers play. “Each system creates a unique guest experience, so the choice is up to operators,” says Michael Beatty, manager of engineering services at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach waterparks in Orlando, Fla. “It depends on which experience operators wish to provide for their guests.”

Pneumatic systems are the most prevalent on the market today, and operators appreciate the fact that no machinery comes in contact with the water. According to manufacturers, this reduces the chances of equipment corrosion and eliminates the risk of fluid or oil leaking into the pool if a hose
breaks. In contrast to pneumatic systems, hydraulic, or mechanical wave-generating mechanisms, produce large waves up to 9 feet high.

Forward thinking
Operators can’t always prevent equipment from breaking down, but it is possible to be prepared for the inevitable. “Operators must have a long-range plan for equipment refurbishment and replacement,” Beatty suggests. “Planning will allow you to be proactive instead of reactive.”

Freeby advises that all staff members be directed to report and log any warning signs immediately. “If there’s a strange sound or excess heat, it should be logged and followed up on immediately,” he says. “Often, if something seems wrong, it probably is.”

Another way to plan ahead is to keep a stock of spare parts on hand, says Michael Walsh, customer/technical service manager at Cohoes, N.Y.-based Aquatic Development Group, which specializes in wave pools. He adds that this is particularly important for indoor waterparks open year ’round because equipment is in constant use. Your supply might include filters, solenoids and other parts subject to excess wear and tear. Walsh also recommends maintaining your wave pool control panels in a temperature-controlled electronics room, to prevent environmental damage from heat, cold or humidity.

For operators installing a new wave pool, another way to prepare for equipment failure is to build redundancy into its system. Having more than one unit of wave-generating equipment can mean the difference between closing down the pool or operating with smaller waves.

The drawback to designing a wave pool with redundancy is, of course, the higher costs associated with adding equipment. In deciding whether redundancy fits into your budget, Freeby says to consider average anticipated lead time for receiving spare parts, and ask manufacturers for recommendations on redundancy. Ultimately, he says, the decision comes down to weighing the initial cost of the additional units vs. potential loss of revenue if the wave pool has to be shut down.

Another consideration when building a new wave pool is the equipment material. Today more wave pool equipment is built with stainless steel. While stainless is more expensive, it requires less maintenance and makes for easier cleaning of pumps, motors, fans and other equipment.

No matter how comprehensive your maintenance plan, a knowledgeable, dedicated maintenance staff is perhaps your best defense against unexpected problems with a wave pool. This means making sure that service manuals and all ancillary training materials are readily accessible to facility personnel who perform the day-to-day maintenance, as well as providing adequate training for these staff members.

“About a decade ago, I worked on a wave pool project at a small, family-owned park in Mexico,” Tymiak says. “When they called me back nearly 10 years later, the system looked like it was brand-new. They had hired a person who took great care in following all recommendations. It was almost a bit excessive, but the wave pool was a big investment for the park, so the operators were fastidious in ensuring that it was well cared for.”