Surf Shack, a recreation center that will offer simulated indoor surfing, is taking shape on Colorado Springs’ north side.

Owner Dr. Michael Kofford, a Colorado Springs orthodontist, is targeting an early 2026 opening, he said. The project is being built at the Polaris Pointe mixed-use development, southwest of the intersection of Spectrum Loop and Voyager Parkway. It is nearby other sports entertainment facilities Top Golf and the Air City 360 Trampoline and Adventure Park.

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Surf Shack will feature a “double” wave machine manufactured by San Diego-based FlowRider to simulate ocean waves for riders. The machine will allow two riders at one time and can accommodate 20 to 30 surfers each hour, Kofford previously said. Riders pay by the hour and Surf Shack will provide surf boards free of charge. 

The facility will also include a second-level sauna, two outdoor sand volleyball courts, a spacious patio with a hot tub, conference and party rooms, locker rooms, and food and beverage areas.

“I want this to be a cool beach vibe for Colorado,” Kofford recently told The Gazette.

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He envisioned bringing the Surf Shack concept to Colorado Springs because while it’s “the perfect place to live,” residents and visitors don’t have access to many lakes and other bodies of water where they can enjoy water sports, he previously said.

“I want people who don’t even care to surf … to also come and just enjoy some food, enjoy the atmosphere,” Kofford said last week about the Surf Shack facility.

Kofford originally envisioned opening Surf Shack at the beginning of this year, then this summer, but the permitting process and obtaining funding both took longer than he estimated.

Kofford applied for and was granted a loan for the project through the Small Business Administration, but has funded it with his own money in the meantime, he said. He has also taken out bank loans. The project cost has increased from about $7 million initially to closer to $10 million currently, including the land, Kofford said.

The building’s exterior is now up; the second floor mezzanine has been constructed; crews have placed some of the plumbing needed for the FlowRider, which will be delivered this month; and crews are framing the conference and party rooms.

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Kofford says if all goes to plan he wants to have a soft opening for the facility in January.

“I want to do a soft opening and make sure everything is running well and train the employees,” he said. “Then we’ll open in February. I want to make sure we get it right.”