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My manager, Bob McKnight from Quiksilver, and a full-time wave scientist who works out of our office in Culver City are also part of it. We've been working on this for more than three years, and we're building our test model in L.A. as we speak. Once we have the technology, we can potentially build these pools all over the world. I'm already thinking ahead, beyond pools, to how we can create a wave-generating system and sink it into lakes, as long as it doesn't screw up the environment. Eventually, I'd love to see a Tour that incorporates a couple of stops on these waves.
We would be able to schedule a contest on Friday at 6 p.m., live on TV. Picture a wave going around in a circle indefinitely. There's a bridge over the wave for viewing, a Plexiglas bottom so fans can watch guys surf above them, and a crow's nest in the middle so people can watch the best guys in the world surf the wave all the way around them. Kids could stand on the edge of the pool and get sprayed by their favorite surfers.
Quote: i wouldn't want this to happen. Takes all the connecting with the ocean out of the experience.
Surfers are awesome. First you get pissed that your local break is crowded, then someone comes up with a way to get all the tourist out of the ocean, and you don't like that either.
I'm down with any technology that brings more waves. I'd prefer a series of artifical reefs (l/r, long points, dredge, etc) in the El Segundo area but whatever'll do.
Let me know if they need test donkeys
-------------------- SIMA:"Promoting participation in surfing, which will result in increased sales of members' products"
Could open the door for larger surfing contest series and more opportunities for a greater number of surfers to make a living doing what they love. also less impact on our treasured surf sites, not to mention if they can someday figure this crap out we could even see less crowds in our lineups. why drive to trestles if irvine held 3-5 worldclass waves...I hope they pull it off.
for instance if it happened couldn't we join forces to move ALL contests other then wcts to controlled locations. except for the rare grand prix car races don't happen on the streets that everyday drivers use right, so why not contests. that would so nice, no more cheesy contests taking over you local break...
heres your business model, advertising and contests pay for the operating expenses, when there are no events they operate like skateparks, maybe a nominal fee, maybe its free...
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KauaiDKer
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 09/21/06
Posts: 1285
Loc: Besht lil island in da world
I've been keeping an eye on artificial wave tech (hey Kauai gets flat & crappy sometimes too! ). I've ridden flowriders a few times. It ain't surfing but it's still fun. What you're working on sounds like the Ring concept. Good luck man! Let me know if you need any beta testers.
-------------------- The hard part about babysitting is that they squirm & complain after 5 minutes of sitting on them.
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KauaiDKer
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 09/21/06
Posts: 1285
Loc: Besht lil island in da world
It is somewhat sickening that surfers, especially someone of Slater’s stature, would even consider something that, if successful, would be so detrimental to the sport they love. I was trying to determine the reasoning that would go into such a bad idea. What would developing/building an inland wave pool with presumably good waves achieve?
Bring surfing even more mainstream? Yes. Provide an arena where tricks on a surfboard took precedence over surfing a wave? Uh, yes. Make the surf at natural surf spots even more crowded? Yes, it would do that. Make money? Gee, that could be the real reason. Provide an even bigger market for Quiksilver/Roxy to sell more clothing, accessories, perfume, bedsheets and chiffon curtains?
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hmmm
Rabbitt Bartholomew status
Reged: 01/13/02
Posts: 9792
Quote: I've been keeping an eye on artificial wave tech (hey Kauai gets flat & crappy sometimes too! ). I've ridden flowriders a few times. It ain't surfing but it's still fun. What you're working on sounds like the Ring concept. Good luck man! Let me know if you need any beta testers.
hopefully they put grind railing on the inside for some radical diversity
-------------------- Cool waves and shaka-to-ya-frada-cause-youre-nothing-but-a-bradda
The Miyazaki ocean dome in japan was sick! Short wave but still the best artificial waves so far, by far. From what I understand it was too expensive to operate & they were forced to close it in 2007.
It's probably still there if someone wants to rescue it.
-------------------- The hard part about babysitting is that they squirm & complain after 5 minutes of sitting on them.
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varno
Phil Edwards status
Reged: 12/12/02
Posts: 5798
Loc: The dirty ol' river
Quote: What was it that Rick Cane wanted to do when he won his local wave park contest?
Anyone remember?
Surf real surf if memory serves. Which is the point - far from relieving crowd pressure, these wave pools, if successful (big if) would increase the crowds at the natural surf spots.
They wouldn't be built in Irvine to relieve the crowd pressure at Trestles. They go up in the South and the Midwest and “all over the world” to create new surfers, more market for the surf industry, all of whom would one day want to surf the legendary Trestles, or Mundaka, or . . . .
Quote: What was it that Rick Cane wanted to do when he won his local wave park contest?
Anyone remember?
Surf the big waves of the North Shore!
And, it really worked out well for him. Seriously. I didn't realize that practicing in a wave pool could then allow you to make the leap to becoming the guy who could beat Derek Ho at his break! Just think of all the Rick Canes out there waiting for a chance.
I'm starting to sense a reality tv show based on learning how to surf in the pool, under Kelly's watchful eye, then going on to surf actual waves. Winner gets a bunch of Quicksilver crap, and a chance to live in the Quik North Shore house to prove his/herself on the biggest stage on Earth!! Sweet!
-------------------- I knew my eggs was headed for dat big omelette in da sky!
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varno
Phil Edwards status
Reged: 12/12/02
Posts: 5798
Loc: The dirty ol' river
we may be forced into wave pools here in LA if the water gets anymore polluted! plus that ocean dome in Japan actually has better waves than we get all year round in the south bay. how quickly would your surfing improve if you had steep barreling rights and lefts like that to train on in between the swells? especially during the summer!!!!!! most people resist change as it happens, then end up embracing it after it's established.
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afoaf
Rabbitt Bartholomew status
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 9855
I’m surprised at the tepid response to this wave pool concept. These wave pools, if successful, would change surfing completely as we know it. If you think surfing is commercialized, homogenized, and crowded now . . .
Some quotes from the vid above:
“Will generate more excitement than ever before seen or imagined. Now all sports need media attention and spectators to create financial rewards. This machine delivers the most intense continuous excitement possible for both surfers and spectators alike.”
Bitchin – Like all sports, the goal of surfing is to make money and have competitions. Tom Blake is probably turning over in his grave. Isn’t it he who said that surfing is about fun, health and camaraderie? For 99% of us it still is.
“I liken this to a NASCAR type environment, a racing environment, it will be so exciting."
I think that speaks for itself.
I realize that it is a long shot that something like this would get off the ground, let alone become big-time. But when someone of Kelly Slater’s status in the sport, is promoting it, it does make you think. It really would change things completely.
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). I've ridden flowriders a few times. It ain't surfing but it's still fun. What you're working on sounds like the Ring concept. Good luck man! Let me know if you need any beta testers. 
