I came across this a whoile ago. Some of you might be interested.
http://www.frst.govt.nz/news/2005/Artif ... -May05.cfm
New Wave Pool Technology
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Laurie McGinness
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- Location: Dee Why/ Curl Curl
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Laurie McGinness
- regular
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 2:43 pm
- Location: Dee Why/ Curl Curl
This was in the paper today with a diagram.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/get-tu ... click=true
Thanks for the link wanto, it was interesting reading. The wave itself looked like a mini-tsunami. It had virtually no back which fits in with the method they are using to generate it. I have a few doubts about it in terms of wave speed, exit strategy (a 3m wave in a pool!) and cost. How much is a wave worth? If you do some arithmetic on how many waves it can generate and think about the construction cost and oveheads, it doesn't sound like it is something many of us would be using everyday!
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/get-tu ... click=true
Thanks for the link wanto, it was interesting reading. The wave itself looked like a mini-tsunami. It had virtually no back which fits in with the method they are using to generate it. I have a few doubts about it in terms of wave speed, exit strategy (a 3m wave in a pool!) and cost. How much is a wave worth? If you do some arithmetic on how many waves it can generate and think about the construction cost and oveheads, it doesn't sound like it is something many of us would be using everyday!
Does this wave pool work on different principles to ocean waves?
Large volumes of water get pumped at high speeds towards a specially curved wall, creating a barrel. Where as with ocean waves the swell moves towards the shore, not the other way around. Although swell energy does travel in a circular motion, so I guess I just answer my own question... duh!
Large volumes of water get pumped at high speeds towards a specially curved wall, creating a barrel. Where as with ocean waves the swell moves towards the shore, not the other way around. Although swell energy does travel in a circular motion, so I guess I just answer my own question... duh!
I'm going to be a grumpy old man on this one.......
Wave pools suck just like jerkski's - they embody everything about a "fast food" society that is the anithesis of surfing in its pure form. They require enormous amounts of energy and the associated pollution; and they offer a the "thrill" without the physical effort and years of experience required to master large waves.
Remember that these things are driven by commercial concerns. If you show enthusiasm and support these things then they will almost certainly take off. If you turn your back on them, then there's a better chance they will fade into obscurity.
Wave pools suck just like jerkski's - they embody everything about a "fast food" society that is the anithesis of surfing in its pure form. They require enormous amounts of energy and the associated pollution; and they offer a the "thrill" without the physical effort and years of experience required to master large waves.
Remember that these things are driven by commercial concerns. If you show enthusiasm and support these things then they will almost certainly take off. If you turn your back on them, then there's a better chance they will fade into obscurity.
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Laurie McGinness
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panaitan, you are obviously an optimist. Unfortunately the future tends to happen regardless of our preferences. I think they would be more or less irrelevant to most surfers. From an investment point of view you want people to use this everyday, build it at the beach and there will be a lot of days people decide the free waves are better value. I would predict then that they would be built at points west of Parramatta! But jet skis? Don't get me started....their only legitimate use is outside reef tow ins.If you show enthusiasm and support these things then they will almost certainly take off. If you turn your back on them, then there's a better chance they will fade into obscurity.
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barstardos
- charger
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- Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2004 2:47 pm
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Recently I went whitewater kayaking at Penrith Whitewater stadium - bloody fantastic experience. There is nothing lightweight about the power of this course. Equavelent of an olympic pool every 10 second draining through 300m meters of non-stop, full-on grade 3+ whitewater!!!
I paid $25 for a full day! Exceptional value!!
Years ago I went to the Ocean Dome at Miyazaki Japan, it was naff!! But it was fun running over squealing japanese who couldnt handle themself in the surf. Cost almost $100 for the day (i new a bloke, so I didnt pay). If you paid - not good value!
If this new pool can provide a similar experience to the power of the Penrith Whitewater at similar cost - I am all for it!
I paid $25 for a full day! Exceptional value!!
Years ago I went to the Ocean Dome at Miyazaki Japan, it was naff!! But it was fun running over squealing japanese who couldnt handle themself in the surf. Cost almost $100 for the day (i new a bloke, so I didnt pay). If you paid - not good value!
If this new pool can provide a similar experience to the power of the Penrith Whitewater at similar cost - I am all for it!
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Nick Carroll
- Huey's Right Hand
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Show me a wave pool capable of creating what I surfed at north Newport all day today, and I'll show you something worth paying for.
Until then, I'm afraid I remain extremely sceptical about wave pools, artificial reefs, and almost every company and person who touts 'em.
There have been numerous attempts to form artificial reefs around the world, and not one has produced a breaking wave worth the name. Numerous such reefs are on drawing boards, and none appear to offer any more than those already formed (and failed).
It's weird in a way because humans have made some spectacular surf spots purely by accident. The infamous Superbank is perhaps the best example -- a bit of sand dredging and pumping in order to buff out the Tweed River boaties, and bingo!
Anyone who's had a good day out at one of the rivermouth groyne breaks on our wonderful coast (ie Iluka, North Haven, etc) will also have experienced the glories of classic Accidental Surf.
But these places would never have come to pass under the aegis of any of the globe's surfing reef designers.
One has to wonder if there are some sort of killer tax breaks involved in claiming artifical reef designer status, 'cause they sure aren't kicking any goals in the water.
Regarding wave pools, well, you know, best of luck with that, but really, for god's sake, how much energy do you think it'll take to make a real three-metre swell, and how much water room do you think that swell will need in order to break cleanly without back or sidewash from every angle?
It'd be great to be proved wrong on reef or pool ... but I'm personally not feeling the lack of either at present.
Until then, I'm afraid I remain extremely sceptical about wave pools, artificial reefs, and almost every company and person who touts 'em.
There have been numerous attempts to form artificial reefs around the world, and not one has produced a breaking wave worth the name. Numerous such reefs are on drawing boards, and none appear to offer any more than those already formed (and failed).
It's weird in a way because humans have made some spectacular surf spots purely by accident. The infamous Superbank is perhaps the best example -- a bit of sand dredging and pumping in order to buff out the Tweed River boaties, and bingo!
Anyone who's had a good day out at one of the rivermouth groyne breaks on our wonderful coast (ie Iluka, North Haven, etc) will also have experienced the glories of classic Accidental Surf.
But these places would never have come to pass under the aegis of any of the globe's surfing reef designers.
One has to wonder if there are some sort of killer tax breaks involved in claiming artifical reef designer status, 'cause they sure aren't kicking any goals in the water.
Regarding wave pools, well, you know, best of luck with that, but really, for god's sake, how much energy do you think it'll take to make a real three-metre swell, and how much water room do you think that swell will need in order to break cleanly without back or sidewash from every angle?
It'd be great to be proved wrong on reef or pool ... but I'm personally not feeling the lack of either at present.
Lets hope they DO take off - more waves in the real ocean for uspanaitan wrote:I'm going to be a grumpy old man on this one.......
Wave pools suck just like jerkski's - they embody everything about a "fast food" society that is the anithesis of surfing in its pure form. They require enormous amounts of energy and the associated pollution; and they offer a the "thrill" without the physical effort and years of experience required to master large waves.
Remember that these things are driven by commercial concerns. If you show enthusiasm and support these things then they will almost certainly take off. If you turn your back on them, then there's a better chance they will fade into obscurity.
snakes
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Laurie McGinness
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I can see a place for wave pools, if they can ever get one to produce a genuine quality wave but I thought Chris's point was well made, surfing is much more than just riding waves. It makes much more sense to value the whole experience.
On the other hand waves worth surfing can be hard to find over summer so it would be nice to have the option of riding a few in a pool. I can understand the purist perspective and the thought of dunking myself regualrly in chlorinated water doesn't really appeal but there would definitely be periods when I'd be willing to put up with it. There was a rumour around last year that someone was putting a flowrider in somewhere in Brookvale but I never heard anymore about it.
...and yesterday morning was quite special Nick, I surfed North Curl Curl, which I thought would be an obvious spot to check, by myself for over an hour before a few body boarders joined in the fun. It wasn't perfect, but 6ft offshore lefts running 250-300m, by yourself, will do me anytime. Whoops have I given away a secret?
On the other hand waves worth surfing can be hard to find over summer so it would be nice to have the option of riding a few in a pool. I can understand the purist perspective and the thought of dunking myself regualrly in chlorinated water doesn't really appeal but there would definitely be periods when I'd be willing to put up with it. There was a rumour around last year that someone was putting a flowrider in somewhere in Brookvale but I never heard anymore about it.
...and yesterday morning was quite special Nick, I surfed North Curl Curl, which I thought would be an obvious spot to check, by myself for over an hour before a few body boarders joined in the fun. It wasn't perfect, but 6ft offshore lefts running 250-300m, by yourself, will do me anytime. Whoops have I given away a secret?
Last edited by Laurie McGinness on Sat Jul 02, 2005 4:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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One Mile Point
- Snowy McAllister
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What all of you are missing is the testing you could do in one of these things, imagine being able to change your fins/board and ride a wave that was eactly the same as the wave you had ridden earlier on a different setup. I think this is one of the reasons that surfboard design seems so stagnent we don't have a testing ground and ~$600 is a big punt if you personally want to change something.
Don't get me wrong about em, I go for a surf to be in the "enviroment" as much anyone and to get away from people (as much as you can possibly in Syd), which a wave pool will never replace but as a testing enviroment, whoo, it'd be excellent.
So for me it's a big bring em on
Don't get me wrong about em, I go for a surf to be in the "enviroment" as much anyone and to get away from people (as much as you can possibly in Syd), which a wave pool will never replace but as a testing enviroment, whoo, it'd be excellent.
So for me it's a big bring em on
If it's well engineered it's beautiful .
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filthbarrel
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NC, what about contacting the surfpark guys
I love the fact that humans search for the artificial to replace the natural. I remain skeptical too, but really, if there was an artificial wave, or an artificial vagina (there is a beauty on the horizon but it costs $US50000 but that is at least cheaper than a divorce) I'd be willing to give it a go.
NC, what about an article on the www.surfpark.com guys. I only ask cause I think you would have the contacts to get a free trip there.
Even I would buy a surf mag (well, I would borrow one) if I could read an analysis of a surfpark's potential.
Either these guys are the spivs of the century with more hyperbole and bluster than Darryl Eastlake (remember Big Dazza -how I miss him on Origin Night -HHHHUUUUUGGGGEEEE) or they have come up with something purty special that will be worth $2-$3 per ride. As I say, the spiel sounds good, but so did the spiel for National Socialism in the late 1930s.
Well Nic, can ya hit someone up for a quick look/see in Orlando so I can book me holidays for next year? What I am really attracted to is (yea yea can't beat the ocean and the dolphins and the culture and the cholera carts and the sand in between your toes and the coral cuts yea yea . . .I know) the idea of getting a wave to yourself -sure you have paid for it . . . but when you break a trip to Mentawais or Phillipines or even Bali down to a wave by wave cost - waddya reckon?
NC, what about an article on the www.surfpark.com guys. I only ask cause I think you would have the contacts to get a free trip there.
Even I would buy a surf mag (well, I would borrow one) if I could read an analysis of a surfpark's potential.
Either these guys are the spivs of the century with more hyperbole and bluster than Darryl Eastlake (remember Big Dazza -how I miss him on Origin Night -HHHHUUUUUGGGGEEEE) or they have come up with something purty special that will be worth $2-$3 per ride. As I say, the spiel sounds good, but so did the spiel for National Socialism in the late 1930s.
Well Nic, can ya hit someone up for a quick look/see in Orlando so I can book me holidays for next year? What I am really attracted to is (yea yea can't beat the ocean and the dolphins and the culture and the cholera carts and the sand in between your toes and the coral cuts yea yea . . .I know) the idea of getting a wave to yourself -sure you have paid for it . . . but when you break a trip to Mentawais or Phillipines or even Bali down to a wave by wave cost - waddya reckon?
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