The best standing wave in the American West in one of its prettiest settings. Judged as a standing wave, it is excellent; just know the season before you plan.
Lakeside Surf sits above Lake Chelan in central Washington, next to the Slidewaters water park, and runs a 16-meter Citywave, which the operators bill as the largest standing wave in the world. It opened in 2021 and operates seasonally from roughly April through October, with free admission for spectators and session-based surfing.
A 52-foot-wide adjustable sheet of deep-water flow that rewards rail surfing with real fins, from first-timer settings to fast, technical flow for advanced riders. Sessions run 45 minutes with a maximum of 12 surfers, so you queue, ride, fall, and repeat at high frequency. The lake-and-mountains backdrop does not hurt.
Pacific Northwest surfers and wake-crowd crossovers within striking distance of Chelan, and families already visiting the lake in summer. It is the only consistent surfable wave for hundreds of miles inland.
Surfing is by booked 45-minute session with published rates on the Lakeside site; spectating, dining, and the beach areas are free. Summer weekends book out, and spring and fall run reduced hours.
Book sessions online before you drive, especially July and August. Pair it with the lake, the wineries, or Slidewaters next door. Early-season and late-season water is cold; wetsuits are the move outside midsummer.
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Citywave