A wave-generating apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wave pool with a bottom, wherein the bottom is upwardly-inclined along a length of the wave pool and defines a deep edge and a beach edge. A wave generator is placed adjacent to the deep edge. An open wave-damping trough is placed adjacent to the beach edge and is adapted to retain water. The apparatus is constructed such that when the wave generator is not actuated, the pool retains water defining a static water level, and a portion of the beach edge is above the static water level. When the wave generator is actuated, it creates a wave that propagates across the wave pool from the deep edge to the beach edge, and the wave energy is dampened when the wave encounters the water retained in the trough.