Revel Surf is located in the center of “the intersection of lifestyle and adrenaline.” These sound like amazing cross streets but before you start searching on your GPS, we’re talking about Cannon Beach. Cannon Beach is Mesa’s brand new premier destination offering beach front vibes, waves, food and shopping. This is just the beginning of services offered at Cannon Beach, there is a lot more coming soon.
“We’re putting Mesa on the global surf map,” says Adam Saks, who is the COO of Cannon Beach. Adam’s words ring true when considering everything that encompasses Revel Surf. The entire design is catered to everybody, including families. Between the hotels, health and wellness shops, and dining options there is something for everybody to enjoy. Did we mention there is also a skatepark?
It all started with a dunk—that’s how the idea of Revel Surf came to life. Cole Cannon and Matt Gunn were playing some ball (Matt can’t dunk but can hit the rim) when they decided to put their expertise and resources together to bring water recreation to Mesa, Arizona. Cole, who owned the land and was unsure of what to do with it. Matt, who was familiar with wave technology.
Revel Surf isn’t your typical wave pool that you’ll find at hotel resorts or water parks. Matt has been working on wave technology for well over a decade. He started working on his first wave in his backyard pool. “Can I make the right wave in a pool?” is the question that drove Matt to work on the technology. He made his first successful wave in 2010. It became about growing the model from there, bringing in Jim Bushy to help with the technology.
Shane Beschen, professional surfer and former #2 in the world, is the Creative Director for Cannon Beach. His expertise as a professional surfer was helpful in developing the technology as well. Shane comes from a family culture of surfing. Shane’s own father is still surfing, at the age of 74. Surfing knows no age limits, just requires the respect of the water and nature. It has been ingrained into his family and he is carrying on the legacy with his own sons surfing too. Surf culture is more than just hopping on a board and hitting the waves. Surf culture seeps into entertainment, music, and fashion. Anybody who remembers the 2000’s will probably remember the Billabong or Roxy t-shirt they wore, even if you did live in a landlocked state. “Oceans teach us lessons,” Shane says. “You quickly realize that you are not the boss.”
It’s a sentiment Matt and Cole also share as well. Revel Surf is the first of its kind but building it didn’t come easy. “You never know what it is going to do until you build it.” You can hypothesize and create models of the surf pool but those are all theories until you put the water in. Turns out, water will go where it wants to go.
It has been an entire team effort to bring Revel Surf to life, and in that effort there were high highs and low lows. The surf itself has a “playlist” of waves, each wave varying in multiple ways to create experiences for beginner and advanced surfers. There’s even an ambiance wave, moving water changes the feeling. On top of the main surf pool, there is a standalone wave for those who desire lessons to learn how to surf. The surf is an addition to the beach, not a distraction. Revel Surf is first and foremost a beach, including sand and shallow water for littles. There is Revel Rocks, where you have cliff diving from six feet to twenty-five feet. There are incredible food and cocktail options, making going to the beach easier than ever before.
“I want to make the broke feel rich,” Cole says. “The goal is to empower people of all skills, ages, and abilities.” Revel Surf is a judgement-free zone and whether you want to enjoy the beach, want to learn to surf and try to learn a new skill, or you are a seasoned surfer, all are welcome. You’ll want to stay awhile with all the water recreation options and the incredible food and cocktails available to enjoy.
Revel Surf is located in the center of the intersection of lifestyle and adrenaline, bringing water recreation to Mesa.
The goal is to empower people of all skills, ages, and abilities.