Big Surf is a waterpark located in Tempe, Arizona. Opened in 1969 and financed by the Clairol Company, it boasted the first wave pool in the United States. The wave pool was designed by Phil Dexter. http://phoenix.about.com/od/famtheme/ss/bigsurf_2.htm The park is currently operated by Golfland Family Fun Centers.

As the first and oldest wave pool in the United States, it at one point featured surfing exhibitions and competition, as well as regular use by patrons of the park. This was largely discontinued in the late 1980s and early 1990s due to safety and liability concerns. More recently the park has discontinued all surfing in the wave pool as of 2005. However body board sessions are still available.

The park is currently celebrating their 40th year anniversary. http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/05/22/20090522mr-splash0523.html

The park is notable for being the first of its kind in the United States.

On September 2, 2009, it was reported that Big Surf will close indefinitely at the end of the day on Monday, September 7, 2009. "Big Surf water park in Tempe to close" However, later that week on September 5, the Arizona Republic reported that Big Surf would open again in Summer 2010, under the original owners rather than the Golfland Entertainment, Inc. banner. http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2009/09/05/20090905bigsurf0905-CP.html

The park's new website is http://www.bigsurffun.com and their phone number has been updated to (480)994-2297. http://www.bigsurffun.com