KIHEI, Maui — The surf is always up at Da Rush Maui, Hawai'i's newest FlowRider attraction.

The system uses pumps to shoot thin sheets of water over a composite membrane riding surface, creating a perpetual wave. Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park in Kapolei added a FlowRider to its list of attractions in 2005, but the Maui version is a stand-alone operation located on Alahele Street, across from Kalama Park in Kihei.

Da Rush Maui owners Bernice "Bernie" Vadla and Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell Sr. said they are waiting for final approvals before opening their $1 million-plus "liquid playground" later this month.

Vadla said the flowboarding facility will provide additional activities for youths and enhance Kalama Park's standing as a center of recreation on Maui, with surfing, canoe paddling, tennis, basketball, softball, in-line skating and other activities already taking place at the shoreline spot.

FlowRiders, manufactured by Wave Loch Inc., are found in theme parks, water parks, resorts, municipal pools and even cruise ships. A crew from New York came to Maui to install the system, which circulates 50,000 gallons of freshwater.

"Flowboarding" has become an extreme sport, with a professional tour featuring athletes from the realms of surfing, windsurfing, skateboarding and snowboarding.

One of the stars of the flowboarding tour, Maui's Rush Randle, was on hand yesterday for the blessing of the Da Rush Maui, which plans to host its own competitions. Also testing the water was big-wave surfing legend Clyde Aikau, who grew up on the Valley Isle.

Aikau is new to flowboarding and said he gets the same sense of excitement preparing to enter the manufactured wave as he does heading out to the surfbreak at Waimea.

However, he said, flowboarding is a bit different from surfing. To keep the nose of the flowboard above the onrushing water, more weight must be placed on the back of the finless board, as if executing a bottom turn in surfing. Riding an ocean wave requires the surfer to press forward, he said.

And with water rushing at you at 30 mph, "you need to have balance."

Anyone hesitant to drop in standing on a flowboard, which is smaller than a snowboard, can try bodyboarding at Da Rush Maui instead.

When the operation opens, fees will be $90 for a full-day pass, $65 for a half-day and $25 for an hourly pass, with cheaper rates for Hawai'i residents. Da Rush Maui also will be available for private parties, and flowboarding lessons will be offered.

Maxwell, a noted Native Hawaiian cultural specialist, said later plans call for expanding the operation to include a climbing wall, a native cultural garden and lu'au.

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.