The dream of any surfer is to choose a constant quality wave to surf, at any time of the day, without depending on weather conditions, wind and tide, and this possibility is becoming increasingly popular with wave pools.
It is not new that the creation of artificial waves has been messing with the human mind. Many projects have already been created around the world and the discussion about sea and pool waves is part of the circles of surfers, amateurs and professionals.
Some accounts point out that the first time an artificial wave was developed was between 1845 and 1886, when King Ludwig II of Bavaria electrified one of his private lakes to create artificial waves. Since then, many attempts have been made to develop and install wave-generating technologies, but these were initially aimed at water theme parks, with no potential to be surfed.
Other countries such as: Germany, Hungary, England, Australia, Wales and others played an important role in the development of wave pools. In 1969🇧🇷 Big Surf in the United States opens in Tempe, Arizona, generating one-meter waves that could be surfed for up to twenty seconds and was an important step in consolidating surfable waves in pools.
In the 80’s we had a great impulse of new swimming pools with surfable waves, several different models and technologies were tested worldwide and the evolution was notorious. In the year of 1985 Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania hosted the first world indoor surfing championships. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in Orlando, Florida. Sunway Lagoon in Malaysia. Seagaia Ocean Dome in Miyazaki, Japan. Siam Park on Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Wadi Adventure in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Surf Snowdonia, the world’s first major surf pool, in Conwy Valley, in the heart of Wales, are just some of the projects that have helped development in various parts of the world.
Wavegarden’s technology led the artificial wave market for a long time until, in 2015, Kelly Slater, the 11-time surfing world champion athlete, with his team of engineers founded the brand Kelly Slater Wave CO, in Lemoore, California and shocked the world of surfing. The perfection of the waves generated, added to the possibility of regulating the machine for different types and sizes of waves, made this project unique.
Many say – and I agree – that it was a turning point, as no one better to promote a wave pool than the “king” of Kelly Slater. Today the Surf Ranch, as it is known, is part of one of the stages of the world surfing circuit organized by the World Surfing League and is the only stage played in artificial waves.
With the rise of surfing to an Olympic sport, new pools are being designed and the future looks very promising. An interesting fact that shows where all this can lead is the opening in 2016 of the Nland Surf Park in Austin, Texas, USA. It’s America’s first public wave pool and runs on Wavegarden technology. Making this experience accessible to everyone is really something amazing.
New technologies have appeared and are standing out, in 2018 the BSR Surf Resort presents the first American Wave Machines wave park, located in Waco, Texas. In the same year Surf Lakes enters the wave pool industry with a revolutionary concept: Concentric Surf Lagoon. This shows that the surfing market is quite comprehensive and that it has room to evolve more and more. With fierce competition, who wins is the public that can experience various types of technologies and witness the constant evolution.
And here in Brazil?
A little over a year ago we had the inauguration of the first surfable wave pool in Brazil at Praia da Grama in Itupeva in the interior of São Paulo. With Wavegarden technology and built more than 150 km from the sea, it is in full operation and has been highly praised by all those who have had the privilege of experiencing it.
In the coming months, on Garopaba beach, a traditional surfing spot in Santa Catarina, we will have the inauguration of the Surfland Brasil club, which will have a sensational structure. Another project under development is the São Paulo Surfe Clube, a high-end development by the construction company JHSF in the city of São Paulo, which will feature residential towers, a club and a shopping center, scheduled to open at the end of 2023.
Personally, I still haven’t had the experience of surfing in a pool, maybe that’s why my identification remains stronger with the sea. We, old-time surfers, are used to the routine of commuting to seek the best conditions and waking up early to check out the sea and depending on nature to send us good surfing conditions. Sand and salt are part of our body, our car, our house and our salty soul.
At the same time, the fact that you don’t have to worry about checking whether there will be a wave or not is extremely encouraging. In the pool, your waves are there reserved for you, by appointment, defined size, directed to the left, right or both sides. Having a support complex with available infrastructure are important factors that bring a whole modern and different scenario to the practice of the sport.
Surfing has no borders and its development will be more and more intense. New generations will emerge and with them, new needs and customs. Let’s see how things unfold in the coming years and where this wave will stop.
aloha
As a seasoned news journalist, I bring a wealth of experience to the field. I’ve worked with world-renowned news organizations, honing my skills as a writer and reporter. Currently, I write for the sports section at News Bulletin 247, where I bring a unique perspective to every story.
