In 1988, Tom Lochtefeld patented a wave-forming generator for inclined surfaces within a contained body of water. This "sheet wave" concept is the basis of most of his company's (Wave Loch) surf rides. This is the FlowRider in action. WhiteWater has acquired the technology and trademarks of Wave Loch, with the aim to grow the sport of "flowboarding."

WhiteWater announces the acquisition of Wave Loch's line of artificial wave rides, including FlowRider, FlowBarrel, FlowCurl, Flow House, Wave-in-a Box and WaveOz. Previously, WhiteWater had been the exclusive worldwide licensee of Wave Loch's FlowRider business.

WhiteWater's Marshall Myrman will head the FlowRider and Waves business unit. Wave Loch founder Tom Lochtefeld will continue to market the WaveHouse and work on his surf pool business. Aquatic Development Group will continue to be the exclusive marketer and manufacturer of the FlowRider product line in the U.S. and eastern Canadian market.

"We are not only adding another original product to the WhiteWater portfolio, but also adding the creative talents of another original waterpark pioneer [Tom Lochtefeld] to the family," said Geoff Chutter, president and CEO of WhiteWater.

Simulating waves within a pool began in the 1980s when Tom Lochtefeld partnered in the development of Raging Waters theme parks. In 1988, he patented a wave-forming generator for inclined surfaces within a contained body of water. This "sheet wave" concept is the basis of most of Wave Loch's surf rides. Lochtefeld originally worked with Charles Sauerbier, Carl Ekstrom and others at the wave tanks of the Scripps Institution of Ocenaography in La Jolla to develop the contained surf riders.

Since 1991, Wave Loch has been "waving the planet," manufacturing FlowBarrel, FlowRider, Flying Reef, Surf Pool and selling Wave House franchises. There are currently around 180 FlowRider installations, with a mainstay being the Royal Caribbean's fleet of cruise ships. Wave Loch has developed a FlowRider that moves 250,000 gallons a minute at 30 mph.