Last week, I was once again at American Dream Mall’s epic DreamWorks Water Park, filming bodyboarding icons Jared Houston and Dave Hubbard as they put on an absolute clinic in the Skudin Surf wave pool. This isn’t your typical mall, this one houses a 1.5 acre, 1.5 million-gallon surfable wave pool. The largest indoor wave pool in North America.
As the house photographer for the Skudin Surf program at American Dream, I’ve been documenting sessions here since the wave pool opened. I’ve had the chance to shoot everything from high-performance pro riders to first-timers stepping onto a board for the first time. But this session had a little bit of everything and a surprise twist that made it one of the most memorable yet.
The Wave Pool Experience 🌊
Powered by American Wave Machines’ PerfectSwell technology, the pool delivers waves roughly every 35 seconds—far more consistent than any ocean lineup. The system can be customized to generate a wide variety of wave types, from soft beginner rollers to steep, barreling A-frames that challenge even elite riders.
The warm water and controlled environment make it an ideal space for coaching, experimenting, and capturing clean, consistent footage. Every session feels like a blank canvas perfect for both athletes and storytellers like me.
Dave Hubbard & Hubboards in Action
Filming Dave Hubbard in this setting was something special. A multi-time Dropknee World Champion and co-founder of Hubboards, Dave brought unmatched energy and creativity to the pool. Whether he was riding prone or dropknee, his style was smooth, explosive, and totally dialed into the wave settings. Watching an athlete of his caliber break down each section with purpose and capturing it frame by frame was a highlight in itself.
Second Shooter & A Surprise Surf Lesson
To help document the session, I brought my friend Nick to shoot some long lens and behind-the-scenes content. What he didn’t know was that I had a surprise lined up: his first-ever surf lesson. After bringing him into the space, it felt only right to give him a shot on a board. Watching him paddle out, pop up, and ride his very first wave under the glass atrium was pure gold and I caught it all on film.
Moments like that are why I love doing what I do. It’s not just about capturing high-level performance it’s about telling real stories and being part of unforgettable experiences.
Whether I’m photographing a world champion or someone catching their first wave, the Skudin Surf wave pool at American Dream continues to deliver. It’s been an honor to serve as the house photographer since day one and sessions like this remind me why I keep coming back.
Gear Used
Cameras – Sony a9 / a1
Links for all of Jay’s and Floored Media’s photo gear!