For more than a century, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has welcomed millions of guests to its iconic oceanfront rides, attractions, and family experiences. Stretching along the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the park is one of the harshest environments imaginable for outdoor audio—salt, wind, rain, sun, constant moisture, and nonstop crowds.
Yet for over a decade, Technomad loudspeakers have quietly delivered dependable, high-quality sound across the Boardwalk. We chatted with Kevin Grewohl, who oversees AV and audio operations for the Santa Cruz Seaside Company (SCSS), to learn why Technomad became their go-to solution for mission-critical, exposed-environment sound.
A Reputation Earned Long Before Kevin Arrived
“When I started at the Boardwalk 10+ years ago, Technomad was already a household name,” Kevin recalls. “There were Berlin and Paris systems that had been running for years.”
Early on, Kevin encountered a few aging speakers that needed attention. After troubleshooting the issues, he placed a call to Technomad for replacements. The process was straightforward—but the deeper discovery surprised him.
“I learned there were Technomad systems I didn’t even know about that had been installed a decade before I got here and hadn’t required any service. That was eye-opening. From there it was a no-brainer to use Technomad in our most exposed areas. I forget about half the speakers because they just keep working.”
Extreme Conditions Demand Extraordinary Equipment
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk sits very close to the Pacific Ocean. That proximity introduces a constant challenge for sound equipment.
“‘Outdoor rated’ isn’t always enough,” Kevin explains. “We look for ‘Cruise Ship Rated.’ Salt air is relentless. Sun exposure is brutal. Wind and storms come off the ocean hard.”
Technomad’s weatherproof, injection-molded, military-grade cabinets and fully sealed drivers offered the durability his environment required—and continue to do so today.
Creative Deployments Across a Complex Park
The Boardwalk’s audio system is vast and varied, calling for flexible product lines and smart distribution strategies.
“We’ve installed Technomad speakers under overhangs, mounted on light poles, even pointing upward into a ride,” Kevin says. “My philosophy is more speakers at lower volume for more even coverage, and the MP Series gives us the diversity to do that.”
Technomad’s availability in both 70-volt and 8-ohm configurations is another major advantage.
“We don’t always have an amplifier nearby. For long runs across the Boardwalk, 70-volt is essential. Technomad offering both options is big for us.”
Audio Quality That Enhances the Guest Experience
Beyond durability, Kevin notes that Technomad speakers deliver impressive, immersive sound that enhances the guest experience.
“A full-range speaker with a 180° x 180° pattern fills a lot of space. The cabinets aren’t small, but the geometric design actually blends in—people don’t even notice them. That helps guests stay immersed.”
The ultimate proof comes from guest reactions on the midway. “The best days are when I see people dancing or singing along as they walk through the park. When they’re enjoying themselves, they stay longer—and that benefits everyone.”
Audio is also a subtle but important way the park communicates status to guests. “We use music and sound to indicate whether a location is open or closed. If our Fun Center is closed, it’s quiet out front. Sound helps an area feel ‘alive’ and sends a clear message.”
Reliability That Pays for Itself
SCSS has learned that a durable system isn’t just about hardware; it’s about labor, uptime, and long-term value.
“For us, Technomad is absolutely worth the investment,” Kevin confirms. “In our harshest locations, I know we won’t have to think about the speakers for at least 10 years. And that’s not hyperbole. We literally don’t think about them for a decade. That saves a huge amount of labor and troubleshooting.”
Technomad speakers are often relocated when rides or areas are updated. “We’ll take them down and reinstall them elsewhere. They still perform great.”
Effortless Support and Strong Relationships
Though the systems rarely require service, Kevin appreciates having direct access to Technomad when needed.
“Support has always been easy. If we need something like replacement grilles or a driver, it’s one email—no middleman. As long as the cabinet isn’t extremely old, Technomad has the parts. And if it is that old, it’s probably time for a new cabinet anyway!”
Over time, the product reliability has translated into a strong partnership. “The Boardwalk thrives on relationships. Our relationship with Technomad has been great.”
Rain, Birds, and Everyday Survival
While SCSS hasn’t seen dramatic “disaster stories,” Kevin enjoys watching the speakers perform during serious Pacific storms.
“I love standing outside on a rainy day with water pouring down on them. They keep playing like nothing’s happening. We’ve had pigeons nest behind some cabinets, but nothing has fazed them.”
Advice for Other Parks and Operators
For anyone evaluating a large-scale outdoor audio investment, Kevin’s perspective is simple:
“Every area with music feels more alive. Guests respond emotionally. Sound tells them what’s open, what’s closed, and where the energy is. You can’t put an exact profit percentage on it, but the difference is obvious.”
His bottom line: "If you want speakers you can install and not think about for 10 years, Technomad is worth every penny.”
A Decade of Reliability—And Counting
From the Boardwalk to cruise ships to military bases, Technomad products are built for environments where failure is not an option.
Santa Cruz’s success story reinforces our mission: to create loudspeakers that perform brilliantly, survive anything, and deliver lasting value for operators who depend on them.
We’re proud to support the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk—and proud that our products have helped create memorable experiences for millions of visitors along the California coast.