AusLeisure

The development of a world-first artificial surfing lake is on target to begin operating on Queensland’s Capricorn Coast.

Located near Mount Jim Crow, inland from the coastal town of Yeppoon, an area not generally associated with surfing, Australia’s first full scale surfing wave pool is expected to begin testing in the coming weeks.

Developed by Surf Lakes International, the commercial surfing lake will potentially be capable of producing up to 2,400 waves per hour with waves up to 2.4 metres. The concentric waves will be generated by a gigantic plunger at the centre of the lake.

Explaining the innovation, Surf Lakes International Chief Executive, Aaron Trevis advises "it's a core mechanism that drives big circular waves and they bend around the reef to create essentially eight different breaks at the same time.

"We literally just have to build it and prove it. There's no other way of demonstrating it. That's why we're calling it the big demo site."

While there are a number of different artificial wave technologies under development in Australia and around the world, there is no assurance that local surfers will ever get to ride Surf Lakes' wave pool.

The company is using the Yeppoon facility as a demonstration site to prove that they can make big waves with a view to sell the patent commercially across the world.

Trevis advises that already there has been interest from investors and developers in the USA, Vietnam, Fiji, Portugal, Middle East, Europe, Brazil and within Australia.

Waves are delivered across four reefs, each with a left and a right breaking wave, and with each wave shaped differently, creating multiple sized and types of waves simultaneously.

Images: Artist's impressions of the Surf Lakes facility at Yeppoon (top) and its concept at the heart of a resort (middle). Lower image shows the installation of Surf Lakes Wave Generating System. Courtesy of Surf Lakes International.

Related Articles

21st February 2018 - URBNSURF announces investment backing for Australia’s first surf park

1st February 2018 - Noosa’s surf breaks declared World Surfing Reserve

2nd December 2017 - Innovative artificial wave ride opens in western Sydney

29th November 2017 - 2018 World Surf League calendar to include artificial wave park venue

19th May 2017 - New generation artificial surf technology producing 1000 waves an hour

24th January 2017 - New artificial surf wave concept under development in Dunedin

15th July 2016 - Livingstone Shire Council foreshore redevelopment to revitalise Yeppoon

26th May 2016 - Kelly Slater sells artificial wave venture to the World Surf League

6th August 2015 - Yeppoon looks to develop foreshore lagoon and wave pool

25th January 2012 - Slater makes waves with plans for artificial surf

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.