Waco Is Making (Clean) Waves Again!

Last year, following the conclusion of Stab High, it was revealed that Fabrizio Stabile (who’d visited the pool weeks prior) had died due to a “brain-eating amoeba” (AKA Naegleria fowleri). The pool was tested extensively by the CDC, and it was revealed that although the amoeba was not present at the time of testing, the conditions for such an amoeba to grow were there. This led to a full revamp of the water quality at BSR, a new filtration system and a watercolor that is currently significantly more attractive than the milky green soup of 2018.

After the news came out, BSR issued the following statement on their Instagram:

First and foremost, on behalf of the entire staff at BSR Surf Resort, our hearts and prayers are with Fab Stabile’s family, friends, and the New Jersey surf community. A precious life has been lost, and we are deeply saddened for his loved ones.

For the past two weeks, increased awareness of this incredibly rare disease, Naegleria fowleri, has swept the globe. What will come of all this news coverage and commentary? At BSR Surf Park, we are determined it will help save lives. 

Although comprehensive test results have now confirmed that the water at BSR Surf Resort meets every standard for safety, today I am announcing that we are going the extra mile and hiring a North Carolina firm to install a state-of-the-art filtration system to make our water in the surf, on lazy river, and at the Royal Flush slide is as clear and clean as humanly possible. It will take us to February to complete the installation of this new filtration system working very closely with local, state and CDC officials. Our goal is to set the highest standard for these facilities. Going forward, BSR Surf Resort will have the cleanest water anywhere in the United States.

BSR owner/operator Stuart Parsons opted for a 1.5 million dollar filtration system to clean up their water for good, which should eliminate any future health concerns.

Today Stab was leaked images from Waco, which show the renovated pool being surfed by ex-Californian pro Brent Reilly. The waves are as good as (if not better than) ever, and the water looks as is if it was extracted from an Antarctic glacier. So clean, so cold!

What’s cooler than cool? Filtered! Photo: Josh Bernard 

We’ve also been informed that Chippa Wilson, Balaram Stack, Yadin Nicol and son, Dylan Graves, Leila Hurst, and longboarders JJ Wessel and Mitch Abshere have recently visited Waco to test the pool in its pristine state.  

One thing we’re left to wonder is, without Cheyne Magnusson there to push the magic buttons (you’ll remember how Cheyne left BSR to start his own wavepool with Kalani Robb in Palm Springs), who will be running the show at Waco? Another pro surfer, an American Wave Machines engineer, or some unknown Texas poolboy/gal?

You can apply for Cheyne’s job, or at least a very similar one, by emailing [email protected]

Waco is slated to re-open on March 22, so dust off your booties and book a flight to Texas. It’s the most fun, promise!