Texas Tube Tour
Waco, Texas · Barrels and BBQ
Join Jay and Vicki for the Texas Tube Tour, a bodyboarding takeover of the Waco Surf wave pool. Expect non-stop freshwater barrels and ramps, a crew of fun riders cheering each other on, and some of the best Texas BBQ you'll ever eat.
Short on time? Tired of getting skunked on surf trips? This is the place for guaranteed waves.
Next trip: Dates and pricing coming soon. Email us to get on the list and we'll let you know as soon as booking opens.
Dates and pricing
Dates coming soon.
Pricing coming soon. Packages usually include a hotel room steps from the wave pool, or a surf-only option if you'd rather stay somewhere else.
The trip
We book out the Waco Surf wave pool for two days of private sessions just for our group. Riders are split into small groups, so there are breaks between your sessions to rest and watch the action. Last year, each rider got about 2 1/2 hours of riding per day. Session times for the next trip are coming soon.
What's included
- Lots of waves
- Hotel room steps from the wave pool (limited rooms, surf-only option available)
- Entry into Waco Surf for both surf days
- Texas Tube Tour shirt
- Free use of Waco Surf's surfboards if you want to try some stand-up action
Where you'll stay
We take over the Waco Surf hotel, with rooms overlooking the waves, a taco shack right below, and a bar next door.
- Choose a Garden View or Wave View room. Both are limited and booked first-come, first-served.
- Rooms have one king bed, a queen bed in a loft (up a vertical ladder), and a fridge. They sleep up to four people.
- Non-surfing friends and family are welcome to share your room at no extra charge. In that case, you'll pay the single occupancy price.
Getting there
- Fly into Dallas or Austin, where flights are usually cheapest. Both are about 1 hour 45 minutes from Waco by car.
- Plan to arrive on an early flight the day before the first surf day.
- We kick things off with an eat-n-greet at one of Waco's famous BBQ joints that evening. Last year it was Terry Black's.
- Fly home the day after the last surf day, allowing for the drive back to the airport.
The waves
Waco Surf's wave pool makes fun beach break-style waves, both rights and lefts, with barrels and air sections. We run an equal number of rights and lefts. You choose which waves you want to ride in advance, and there's one slot per rider in each session, so no buying or trading turns.
Lowers
If you can catch a wave and hold an edge, you can ride this one. Sets of 3 or 4 waves start at about a 5-foot face, with about 45 seconds between sets and roughly 14 to 15 waves per hour. Each wave lasts 8 or 9 seconds, with an easy takeoff and two sections where you can get barreled, hit the lip, or throw a big cutback. You can even stall and stay in the barrel the whole way.
Waco Wedge, Double Barrel, and Keg
These run one wave at a time, about a minute apart, so we break into small groups to keep waits short. They're roll-in waves that need a strong kick to catch.
- Wedge: A short, slabby tube or ramp.
- Double Barrel: A fast, long wall ending in a slab barrel or ramp. This one takes some skill.
- Keg: A stretched-out version of the Wedge, with a semi-slab that peels off into a soft exit barrel.
Beginner to intermediate riders can take off on the end of these waves to make them easier.
What to bring
- Your normal gear: board, fins, leash, and fin socks
- A leash is required
- A board that's the right size for you, so you get the most out of the waves
- A wetsuit and helmet if you want extra protection. Some settings pack a punch, and these are barreling waves in shallow water over concrete.
Off the water
Bringing your family, or looking for something to do between sessions? Waco has plenty:
- Walk the Brazos River trail or rent kayaks
- Visit the zoo, Lake Waco, or the Dr Pepper Museum
- Shop and grab food at the Magnolia Silos
- Hit Top Golf or a shooting range
- Try Waco Surf's wakeboard park, open the weekend before our sessions
Good to know
What's the weather like? Expect sunny, hot days in the 80s or warmer. Water temperatures usually run about 75 to 80 degrees, depending on the weather before we arrive.
Can I surf more than our group sessions? Yes. You can book public sessions on the Waco Surf website, from beginner to pro waves. They sell out fast, so book early. It's also a great way to get your kids or partner riding waves in a controlled setting.
Is it dangerous? The waves are predictable, but some settings pack a punch, and you're riding shallow barrels over concrete. Ride within your limits, and consider a wetsuit or helmet for extra protection.
Who is this trip for? This is a bodyboarding trip, so we cater it to bodyboarders.
Payments and refunds
Deposit and payment details coming soon.
- No refunds unless your spot is filled. If you can't make it, you're responsible for selling your spot. We keep a waiting list and can help, but you'll only be refunded if the spot is filled. You're welcome to sell your spot to someone else, as long as they're not a jackass.
- After the final payment deadline, we refund surf time costs only if the park shuts down for the entire day of our sessions, or we don't fill enough spots to cover the fees we've paid the resort.
- We can't refund the hotel portion of your package if the pool closes while we're there.
- We can't refund for illness, injury, soreness, job loss, changes of plans, missed flights, or missing your session for any other reason.
Surf photos by Tony Prince
What riders say
"I've never caught so many waves in my life!"
"Thank you again for everything! Vicki and Jay, you did an amazing job putting together this trip. It is not easy to organize this many people and you knocked it out of the park. Everyone was so supportive and willing to help us Florida guys figure out the waves. The culture of the trip really was incredible, everyone hooting and hollering supporting people they just met really made the trip for us. It was so cool seeing you all absolutely shred! Definitely one of the best surf trips I have ever been on and definitely going to try to go again in the future."
Daniel, FL
Ready to ride?
Email us to get on the list, and we'll let you know as soon as dates and pricing are set.
Questions? Call us Monday to Friday, noon to 4:45 pm Pacific, at 949-361-0848, email info@ebodyboarding.com.
Let's get some barrels and BBQ. Yee haw!