One of the world’s premier surfing destinations is right in Baylor’s backyard

One of the world’s premier surfing destinations is located about 15 minutes from the Baylor campus.

Yes, you read that right.

In recent years, Waco Surf has gained international intention from surfers seeking the perfect wave year-round. Such prominent surfers as Kelly Slater (11-time World Surf League champion) and Carissa Moore (2020 Olympic gold medalist) have come to Central Texas from California, Hawaii and beyond to run the perfect waves at the touch of a button.

“I think 90% of the professional surfers in the world have come through here at some point,” Waco Surf general manager Mike Schwaab told Texas Lifestyle Magazine last year. “Everyone from Gabriel Medina, Kelly Slater, Shaun White, and pro skateboarders like Jagger Eaton and Zion Wright come out here all the time… It’s just a fun, cool place where you can come and enjoy the surf in a very low-key atmosphere. We do our best to not make this feel like an amusement park. It’s more of a surf trip. That helps people want to go. And instead of trying to book a trip to Bali or Mexico or Australia, just come to Waco.”

The park also includes water slides, one of the world’s longest lazy rivers, cabanas, a wakeboarding cable park, and more. Now, thanks to a new partnership, Baylor students can get discounted beginner surf lessons (use promo code SURFSUPBU) and water park access (promo code LETSFLOATBU) — adding to the list of Waco Perks students and faculty/staff can enjoy across town.

(And what better time for students to check it out than during Staycation this Labor Day weekend?)

Sic ’em, Waco surfers!