Backyard Shred
American Wave Machines was founded in 2000 in the backyard of founder Bruce McFarland’s Solana Beach home. Operating out of a shed, AWM’s first “office” would host surfers from all over North County interested in seeing the scale model of AWM’s surf pool concept. R&D continued for several years before the first prototype deployed on the east coast.
2000 Stockyard Surf
Inspired by footage of the Waimea river, SurfStream® was the the first true standing wave concept on the market. In 2004, the first rideable prototype was installed in shipping containers and tested by local New Jersey surfers. Since then, incremental improvements of the technology and a growing interest in surfing outside of the ocean has led to the opening of more than a dozen SurfStream® surf parks worldwide. Special thanks to SeaBox for the container.
2004 The Light Bulb
In 2007 The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA commissioned AWM to produce a wave model that could help visualize and define the differences between Tsunamis and regular ocean swells. The system created for that exhibit evolved into technology called PerfectSwell®, AWM’s answer to creating the infinite variety of surf found in the ocean.
2007 Scale Dreams
Working from a pneumatic platform, a method of producing waves used in waterpark systems used for decades, R&D on PerfectSwell® began. AWM identified the reasons waterpark pools never attracted surfers, and discovered a solution. This discovery would become the core invention and patent group behind PerfectSwell®: PS utilized intuitive software to sequence waves that run parallel to the generating wall, rather than away from it. This invention and others, would go on to make up the IP portfolio that is PerfectSwell®.
2010 Dream Realized
It would take time, serendipity, and thousands of scale model demos before the first PerfectSwell® Surf Park was built. Launching into the lives of surfers everywhere through viral social media content, Waco Surf (formerly BSR) would become THE destination for enthusiasts from around the world. Still operating at full steam today, Waco Surf’s impact on the sport cannot be overstated.
2018 Rising Sun
In just a single year, in the middle of a global pandemic, AWM and its Japanese licensee completed construction of PerfectSwell® Surf Stadium Shizunami. The commissioning was completed in time to host both the Japanese and American national surf teams for Olympic training. Since opening, the pool has hosted two international pro competitions and dozens of local contests.
2021 Grand Vision
Now established as the world’s premier high performance, high volume surf system, PerfectSwell® became part of a transformative vision in real estate development. JHSF, the high profile luxury development company in Brazil, tapped AWM to install the world’s first real estate driven surf park. The result, Boa Vista Village, a gorgeous residential village and the largest PerfectSwell® to date.
2022 Downtown Icon
After the success of Boa Vista Village, JHSF extended their PerfectSwell® offering into the heart of São Paulo. Adjacent the city’s iconic bridge, the Ponte Estaiada, São Paulo Surf Club is one of the world’s most exclusive membership clubs. The installation features the latest PerfectSwell® technological advancements and boasts the world’s best air section, The McFly.
2025 Global Reach
In a long and meticulous selection process, China Tourism Group awarded AWM over all others with the opportunity to provide the waves to Riyue Bay Surf Resort, the first resort of its kind in China. The project features two beautiful hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping and a world class PerfectSwell® surf system.
2025 Generation 6
AWM and Desert Lakes LLC have partnered to bring the world’s largest PerfectSwell® surf pool to Utah. Capping four years of in-house R&D, the project will feature Generation 6 PerfectSwell® surf technology bringing bigger, better waves, improved efficiency, cutting-edge sustainability features, and AWM’s most innovative wave package yet. For the surf and aquatics recreation, the project will upcycle brackish water – unfit for drinking or farming – conserving fresh water and reducing waste.
2027 
