Water Free Surfing Simulator Business Plan

Here’s where to find the surfing machines

1. Business Concept & Vision

• Concept: Launch a water-free surfing simulator business offering customers the chance to experience the thrill of surfing in a controlled, dry environment. The simulator uses a moving platform designed to mimic surfing on a wave, offering a unique, interactive attraction.
• Unique Selling Point: Combines the novelty of surfing with accessibility—no ocean, swimwear, or experience required. Appeals to thrill-seekers, families, and competitive individuals looking for fun and challenge.
• Vision: Create a network of high-visibility installations in malls, outdoor shopping centers, and tourist hotspots to scale the business rapidly.

2. Market Analysis

• Target Audience:
  • Adventure-seeking teens and young adults (ages 16–35).
  • Families looking for unique activities at malls or shopping areas.
  • Tourists and mall visitors drawn to visually captivating, competitive attractions.
• Competitors:
  • Indoor surfing simulators (e.g., FlowRider) and trampoline parks.
  • VR and arcade experiences in malls.
• Market Need:
  • Malls are seeking unique attractions to draw foot traffic as retail shifts online.
  • Consumers want visually engaging, shareable experiences for social media.

3. Revenue Model

• Pricing Strategy:
  • $30 per two-minute ride (industry-standard for high-adrenaline experiences).
  • Group discounts: 10 rides for $250 (prepaid packages for groups/events).
• Revenue Projections:
  • Example Calculation:
    • 6 riders/hour × $30/ride × 10 operating hours/day = $1,800/day.
    • Monthly revenue: ~$54,000 from a single unit.
• Upsells:
  • Merchandise (e.g., branded hats, shirts, water bottles).
  • Photos/videos of rides for social media sharing ($10/photo or $20/video).
  • Private rentals for events or birthday parties: $500/hour.

4. Setup & Requirements

Equipment:

• Surf Simulator:
  • Purchase cost: ~$20,000–$50,000 depending on features (e.g., size, interactivity).
• Safety Gear:
  • Helmets, knee pads, and optional gloves ($20–$50 per set, ~10 sets required).
• Visual Setup:
  • Backdrop with an ocean theme for photos and videos.
  • Neon signage to draw attention from mall visitors.

Location:

• Ideal Sites:
  • Popular malls with high foot traffic (avoid declining malls).
  • Outdoor shopping plazas with consistent family and tourist visits.
  • Busy tourist hotspots (e.g., Times Square or boardwalks).
• Space Requirements:
  • Minimum of 500 square feet for the simulator, queue area, and signage.

Permits & Insurance:

• Liability insurance: ~$1,000–$2,000 annually.
• Permits for operating entertainment attractions (varies by state).

5. Marketing Strategy

Cold Outreach:

• Use scraping tools from the scraping guide to gather contacts for mall property managers and outdoor shopping centers.
• Cold email script:
  • Subject Line: “Boost Your Mall Traffic with a Surfing Simulator!”
  • Body: Highlight the simulator’s ability to draw crowds, increase dwell time, and create social media buzz.

Launch Event:

• Host a grand opening with free rides for the first 50 visitors.
• Partner with local influencers to promote the event via TikTok and Instagram.

Social Media Content:

• Post high-energy videos of riders falling, succeeding, and competing.
• Use hashtags like #DrySurfChallenge, #MallAdventures, and #WaveSimulator.
• Offer a free ride for customers who post their experience and tag your business.

Copywriting Tactics:

• Use “fire-breathing testimonials” to sell the excitement of the ride (copywriting guide).
• Example: “I’ve never surfed before, but I felt like a pro on this simulator! Best $30 I’ve spent all year.”

6. Lead Generation & Partnerships

Scraping Techniques:

• Scrape data for:
  • Mall property managers in high-traffic areas.
  • Event planners specializing in mall activations.
  • Local influencers with audiences interested in unique experiences.
• Use free tools to gather email addresses and phone numbers for direct outreach.

Partnerships:

• Malls:
  • Negotiate a revenue-sharing deal (e.g., 10% of sales) in exchange for discounted rent.
• Tourism Boards:
  • Collaborate on joint promotions, offering discounts for visitors.
• Local Businesses:
  • Partner with nearby restaurants or cafes for cross-promotions (e.g., a free drink with a ride).

7. Sales Channels

• On-Site Ticketing: Primary revenue from walk-up customers at the mall or plaza.
• Online Bookings:
  • Allow customers to pre-book time slots through a dedicated website or app.
• Event Rentals:
  • Private bookings for parties, team-building events, or corporate functions.

8. Operations Plan

Staffing:

• One operator per unit ($15–$20/hour).
• Additional staff for weekends or events as needed.

Operating Hours:

• Align with mall hours (e.g., 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.).
• Offer extended hours on weekends to capture peak traffic.

Maintenance:

• Regularly inspect the simulator for mechanical issues.
• Clean and sanitize safety gear daily.

9. Financial Projections

Startup Costs:

• Simulator purchase and setup: ~$30,000.
• Marketing and launch event: ~$2,000.
• Safety gear, signage, and decor: ~$5,000.
• Total Initial Investment: ~$37,000.

Monthly Expenses:

• Lease: ~$2,000–$5,000/month (mall-dependent).
• Staff wages: ~$2,000/month (for one operator, part-time).
• Insurance and maintenance: ~$1,000/month.

Monthly Revenue:

• Individual rides: 60/day × $30/ride × 30 days = ~$54,000.
• Merchandise and upsells: ~$5,000/month.
• Event rentals: ~$2,000/month.
• Total Monthly Revenue: ~$61,000.
• Monthly Profit: ~$50,000 after expenses.

10. Expansion & Scaling

Pop-Up Installations:

• Partner with seasonal events or fairs to set up temporary simulators for exposure.

Franchise Model:

• Standardize the business operations and branding to create franchise opportunities in other cities.

Social Media Challenges:

• Launch a viral challenge (#DrySurfChallenge) encouraging people to beat each other’s scores or tricks.

Additional Locations:

• Expand to more malls, airports, and cruise ships.

Growth Hacking Examples

1. Mall Kiosks (Power Bands):
   • Spectacle-driven sales proved that visually engaging, interactive products can draw crowds.
   • Application: Use high-energy staff to challenge passersby to “surf better” than others.
2. TopGolf:
   • Created buzz through influencer partnerships and team-building events.
   • Application: Host influencer nights or corporate competitions to drive engagement.
3. Pop-Up Events:
   • Brands like SkyZone gained traction with limited-time pop-ups in high-traffic areas.
   • Application: Install short-term simulators at festivals or outdoor shopping centers to gauge interest.