Scott Fais, Florida On A Tankful
What happens when your day at the beach gets rained out? Do you see a movie? Do some shopping? Or still learn to surf? You can actually do all of the above inside a mall!
When Mother Nature rains on your day at the beach, you don't have to give up catching a wave. Just head to the mall.
"It's kind of like surfing inside, I guess," said Jimmy Watson, an instructor.
Under the dead tree, and above the board shorts, you'll find the start of something new.
"Kind of like a wave pool, just a little different," said Watson.
It’s kind of a different since this man-made beach is enclosed within a retail store at the Florida Mall named "Adrenalina." Inside this humid aquarium, you can catch a wave, if you're lucky.
"It takes a lot of practice," said Watson.
Watson is a pro on this surfing simulator. Called a FlowRider, four water jets create enough horsepower to simulate an ocean wave.
"It's different from any water sport out there because of the flow of the water coming at you," said Watson.
You know what's coming at you as you climb the steps and face a wall of water pouring down the steps. And then comes Watson's warning “To get the feel of it, you have to take a few falls."
Call it foreshadow. First, I try boogie boarding and slide right off the mat. It's not as easy as it looks.
"It's a lot harder to control your board," said Watson.
Next, ready to take control and join the ranks of the pros, I attempt to stand up.
To begin, we use a tow rope to assist in keeping my balance.
"You want to keep your knees bent, and keep all the way on your back foot leaning back and looking forward," said Watson.
After several attempts with the tow rope, I'm able to stand for a few seconds and so did others taking the FlowRider for a ride.
After the half-hour session, we left sore and waterlogged.
To see more Florida On A Tankful adventures, go to Central Florida On Demand, Digital Cable Channel 300.
FlowRider Surfing Simulator
What:
Learn to “surf” inside the mall on a simulator promising the perfect wave.
Where:
Adrenalina Store
Florida Mall
Orange County
Hours:
Monday – Saturday:
Open at 10 a.m. Last ticket sold at 8:30. Mall closes at 9 p.m.
Sunday:
Open at 12 noon. Last ticket sold at 5:30. Mall closes at 6 p.m.
Phone:
(407) 858-2160
Address:
Florida Mall
8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail
Space #1186
Orlando, FL 32809
Longitude & Latitude:
(28.444246788645767, -81.39278590679169)
Parking:
Free
Park near the Macy’s store facing the Beachline Expressway for the shortest walk to the Adrenalina Store.
Mall Latitude and Longitude:
(30.183121842195515, -81.23291015625)
Admission:
$20 per half hour.
Season Passes available
Web site:
http://www.adrenalinastore.com/
Central Florida Directions:
This is the closest attraction to downtown Orlando that we’ve ever visited. So here are some directions from I-4.
From I-4, take exit 72 for S.R. 528 East. Signs will read “Int'l Airport, Cape Canaveral, Convention Center, International Drive.”
Merge onto S.R. 528 East. Be ready. Portions are a toll road. Travel 3.8 miles.
Take exit 4 for U.S. 17 toward U.S. 441/U.S. 92/Florida's Turnpike.
Merge onto Consulate Drive.
Turn left at S. Orange Blossom Trail/U.S. 17-92/U.S. 441. The mall will be on your right. Look for the yellow and orange signs.