Watch: Testing the menu at URBNSURF
URBNSURF in Melbourne is, as you all know, powered by Wavegarden technology, and there's a belief that each WG pool can be dropped into place replete with identical waves.
However, during a tour of the facility last December I found out that while the wave-making device is similar, the pools aren't - each is shaped according to the available land - and so the Tulla Tub had to be tuned in. What the Wavegarden crew called the "wet commissioning" phase.
To explain this I'll hand the reins over to Rupert Partridge from URBNSURF describing what happened after they began filling the pool:
As the water level of the full size lagoon, measuring 160 x 160m - five times larger than the demo centre in Spain - reached its prescribed level, the fruit of years of hard labour and thousands of grueling mathematical
For several weeks, Wavegarden and URBNSURF operations staff surfed wave after wave after wave, literally all day long. Feedback was relayed via waterproof walkie talkies in real time to office-bound programmers, who meticulously recorded data and adjusted the operating parameters. The complexity of the system that lies behind the waves cannot be underestimated - there's an intricate, convoluted network of fibres and electrical panels acting as the brain, moving each piece of machinery with precision.
Every few days, a new wave type was logged into the system: turn waves; barrel waves; waves that pitched this way or that way; waves that peeled slower or faster. Every wave was created with a specific surfer profile and skill level in mind.
With the initial full wave menu prepared, a handful of outsiders were invited to support further testing and tweaking.
Comments
Saw in a vlog there is no beast mode unless you book out the whole pool. Pretty disappointing.
Really?? Can understand why but like you say it's disappointing after all the promotion of it.
Apparently to many people hurting themselves, it's motivation to get a group booking together though.
The barrel setting on advanced is chunky enough. Shallow, heaving and slab-like.
Cant just book out one side either - need both @2500 p/h
When I asked they said you need the entire lagoon. $5,000/hr.
I have it booked with my sons mates on the 14th and we are the only ones in the pool for our sessions. Wonder if they will crank it up should be fun.
does it get any bigger???
What i don't understand is, why didn't they make it so the SW is offshore, as an alternative to when the beaches are onshore ?
Gary's theory is that they have set it up so the prevailing winds have the shortest fetch (i.e. smallest impact) across the pond. It may look a bit junky from the grass but it's clean on the face. A strong 'offshore' would probably be tricky and may blow you off the top.
Need the entire pool for beast mode. Apparently they can’t run any lessons in the lagoon when beast mode is on so you need to hire both sides and the inside $5000/hr.
OK, that makes sense. Thanks mate.
Oh no that sucks..so basically we don't get to surf it :(
Totally. The advanced setting is good but it's only the last 20mins on full toob setting. So you maybe get, max, 4 or 5 toob waves. The setting is ok and it's easy enough to get toobs but it's not big enough to get a real buzz.
Personally I think people will get over it at the current advanced setting.
Im booked in for April, but spewing can't get to surf beast mode, beast mode kinda looks like the end bowl at Buluta.
I feel like you were on the world surfaris 5hr promo I got fed the same story
Yawn. Sure if I were rich I'd have one in my backyard and probably never leave the place, but watching man made waves is just such boring viewing.
The surf I have had of late, this looks brilliant. Sick of duck diving 6 foot + sets.
Instead of duck diving them try riding them! Heaps better fun!
Caught plenty on the weekend with one eye on crew who for whatever reason were always on the inside, sometimes in the way..................just duck diving???
Not complaining....just an observation. Made for hassle free selection for some of the best waves coming through so all good.
Ahhhh....it was closing out across 150m of ocean and was 6 foot solid plus, slightly on/cross shore on a beach / part reef break. There was no escape and everybody was inside as there was no outside. Just an observation. No fun.
Will the chlorine+urine kill the viruses?
Can i have a free surf ?
I won't complain and ill surf any setting ?
Please
We hired it out for 2 hours last Friday night
$210
Included bus there and back plus beers on the way home, cheaper than than taking the Mrs and kids out for dinner to the pub
We had first half of each hour on the turns wave then second half the barrel wave, it was epic I will be going back but definitely in a group who has booked it out
Was that $210 each?
x 18 people?
Have it good authority it’s in a marginal electorate and it might have got a 6 figure sum on the downlow.
Blinded by Science...the wave presents fine but by Wave Pool specs it's a dud.
URBNSURF shout it out loud day after day.
Firstly URBNSURF never even chose this Cove design (Twas a last minute switch!)
2016 April (Straight Twin Blade design) > Open Late 2017
https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/melbourne-will-have-a-surf-pool-in-…
2016 June (New Cove) Open Mid 2018 > 2019 Jan >Easter >Spring >Summer >2020
Recall the 2019 Jan open Comp winner chased down MF on ACA. ( MF ...WTF )
Economic Fact...(The Cove) lost over 2 years earning capacity.
At the time Ross said this is no bather's wave pool but a surfer's wave Pool.
Difference being, bodysurfing wave pools universally cater to every age & price.
Darwin wave Resort charges less than 1 cent per S.A. 2x World Champion's wave.
https://www.topendshortstays.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/IOB06683…
Wavegarden Test design centre sells a youthful melting pot but in reality...
URBNSURF Melbourne struggles to attract higher spending Surf Chix & Hodads
The Cove traps women into a corner + rapid fire wave intervals rule out boomers.
More of a Boyz Skate Bowl than Universal Family Wave Pool Party Invite.
The Cove design is impressive but wastes a lot of water upon wave breaking.
Test design centre got around this by adding board height near the take off zone.
Too late for URBNSURF & Bristol as they're left with water wasting Swashbucklers.
The drenched pathways are a constant safety hazard.
To assume wave testers can test random wind blown spill over waves is fanciful.
Serious Wave testing is held indoors unaffected by Rain,Wind,Mud,Sand & Sun Tides
This major fail pegs Full Scale Cove under the height of 20% sized Test Wave.
Embarrassingly the baby pool Test Wave presents higher waves on many occasions...
https://i.imgur.com/aqHbTVX.jpg
https://wavegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/URBNSURF-Melbourne-St…
5 times larger Wave Pool with now smaller waves escaping is no laughing matter!
Biggest most serious Wave Design flaw is 8 sec Wave Interval vs Crowd Size.
Kooks must clear twice as fast as Olympic Surfers & 3 x faster than Water Slide exits.
These Krab Pots trawl as one corrupting waves & endangering following surfers.
Even worse is that Wavegarden frightfully promoted Intermediate to Advanced.
Complete Chaos is an understatement...(Wheelchair Rugby in a washing machine!)
Wavegarden "Intermediate Wave" was designed to attract Kooks, Hodads & Chix.
Nov 2019 Bristol cancelled Intermediate Waves & URBNSURF failed to introduce.
Both Wavegardens fix was to feed Intermediate crews with Advanced surfers Point.
Progressing > Beginners > Intermediate > Advanced > (Losing 50% Wave Quality)
Bristol claims to have fixed the problem but URBNSURF are still on 50% Wave cap'.
Technically URBNSURF wavepool is a 50% fail on wave quality...(Spin all you like!)
Each Bather's 14million Wave Test sensors progressed 150yr wave pool design.
Surfboards have zero Wave Sensors & Pilot's Computer is 6ft above the wave.
Test craft is insulated from wave has a flapping sticker & anchor chain...(Useless!)
Again we see this design failure play out with "The Beast."
The Beast started as a Celeb's Pet but was banned from Public due to safety fears.
Both Wavegardens consider License or restriction before releasing it to public.
All see that Wave Park Patrons present more toward Kook than local break standard.
Here we read of the Elite Beast demanding whole pool & Commanding Celeb fees.
Stu & tbb (previous) have rightly pointed out that each Wavegardens are different.
The Wave Bristol & URBNSURF are very different.
Note the Centre Consul height of both Pools.
Bristol is Ye Olde School hand railed high & dry seawall defence Promenade
https://i0.wp.com/thisbristolbrood.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Wave-…
Typically crap Aussie cheap version prides a shitty seagull slip'n'slide (Yes! Really!)
https://media.timeout.com/images/105576759/630/472/image.jpg
Taj & JW Stickerfest managed to raise the sea this much...
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/11/14/07/20991330-7684131-image-a-4_1…
Reef & Ozzie crossed the line to foul the otherside...(Another design Flaw!)
https://www.4actionsport.it/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/URBNSURF-Summer-S…
Crew can see, as the Beast rises up so do the seas bringing Roary to his knees.
The Beast bellows inside down the line, as such washes over the centre consul.
This not only buckles the neighbour's waves but blocks safe access into the pool.
Entry Point must be safe for all. The Beast sweeps neighbouring surfers off their feet.
The Wave Bristol faces problem of Beastly Backwash in own side of the Pool.
So each Pool can't unleash the beast to the Public...Exactly!
Wavegarden wall design fail is driving the exorbitant fees for firepower upgrade.
This Wash over + restricting access would be why punters need to book whole Pool!
2008 Note: MSAC (Vic.) Installed world 1st movable Olympic Pool floor (Dive < > Swim)
URBNSURF simple consul lends to adjustable height + sidewall flares at take off.
You could ramp this pool to full potential XXL Pro for min cost.
Urbnsurf Ramp wave has also failed World theme Park's "Ride Height".
https://www.facebook.com/urbnsurf/videos/182183146389874/
Stab High (Comp)~Wavegarden must build a Ramp or (No Show).
https://stabmag.com/news/stab-high-is-coming-to-melbourne-on-march-21st/
Recap..
*Design change Cost $18.5m > $40m Blowout
*2 year Timeline Cost Blowout
*Constant water wasting on nearly every wave
*Ongoing safety & Utility maintenance fees at Take off / Wash over Zones
*Failure to attract universal Wave pool patrons (Perhaps Govt Grant for Chix Dunny!)
*Reduced height wave limitations by inadequate wall height designs
*Wave Interval is twice as fast as Pro Standard, resulting in mayhem.
*Failure to deliver basic bather Wave Pool level "Intermediate Wave" design
*Halving Advanced Wave Sessions
*Promoting Intermediate into steep take off zone & speed
*Failure on Advanced Beast Mode wave Design
*Ramp Wave doesn't pass Park "Ride Height" test
Bonus Design Flaws!
*Drones flying in OZ #2 Airport Precinct is surely the work of Terrorists
*Maybe tip off Life Guards to the marathon wall sitting event...
Sure there is some great tech as Stu & crew point out...but let's keep it real here!
tbb sees pretty good waves with sub standard surfing.
All crew know full well we've discussed all in this list & a lot more...
Honeymoon Phase & no more! To do list is still there!
^^^It’s an emerging technology of course there will be design flaws
8s wave period is a simple consequence of cash flow
I’m feeling like they will iron out any issues with the pool design and next version will be even better
Sorry just to clarify on my comment last night spuddups and goofy foot
We hired it for 2 hours 24 people
5000 for the group for 2 hours
Long time reader first time commenter love ya work SN crew especially TBB
Did you surf for the entire 2 hrs? How many waves you reckon you got in that time? The pool can handle 24 surfers at a time? I thought someone said above it was $5k/hr?
That's good value
That's a good deal. Reasonable numbers in the pool too. Manageable.
Was that Eddie's trip?
Yeah Stu eddy from bh
welcome aboard Jd13 thanks for kind comment & new line of pool access.
tbb can expand upon that...
SMH Tim's excellent article said Mr Ross wont discuss Day Hire
(On the down Low) quoted URBNSURF $30,000 / day hire .
Also a sampler Pack of 24 / $15 per person per 1 hour...(Guessing - Mid Zone Party)
No web site prices > private full info upgrade / vouchers + Tick [ boxes ] on sell.
Anyhow! Worth checking if you score Advanced on the off chance...get the last laugh!
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/artificial-wave-pools-will-revolutionise-s…
I was so excited by the opening promo I signed up for the gold membership without reading the fine print.....nailed for a full 12 months.....and live on the other side of the city.
The 20 minute barrel setting in the advanced session is at most 20% make-able. Too much side wash and wind interference.
Anyone successfully pulled out of their gold membership? If so: please let me know.
What’s that .....you only get 20 minutes of 80 percent close out barrels on the advanced setting ?
Is this true ?
I've been there a dozen times and only 2 hours of 12 have I had great barrels (8kt offshore). SW wind does effect it as the barrel is mid wave. Really only the 2nd and 3rd of the set waves are worth riding. The rest are too washy. Not quite a close out - but definitely no dry exits.
You still enjoy it though ?
Still look forward to going each time ? Just to put it into perspective- Do you get many decent non-pool waves the rest of the time ?
You have to be a ripper to get any real joy from the "turns waves".
I'm just in it for the barrels - Not worried if I arrive late and very little motivation when it's SW onshore.....but I'm paying and it's better than not surfing at all.
"many decent non-pool waves the rest of the time ?" - Luckily I live close to the coast. But these last few months has been patchy (heaps of west wind). Positive: The pool has helped keep my paddle arms in shape.
Winter and Indo are my favorite times - definitely forgetting the membership come season!
Thanks for the reply.
I’m always interested in the evolution of pond surfing and how the experience morphs the further into this experiment we get.
Good luck in winter / Indo .
coronia virus cesspit...or piss puddle.....wonder what the water temp got to.
My two cents....
It’s super fun all round, even the intermediate sessions are fun with the right board. I’ve surfed the left and right on intermediate and advanced and even got to try beast mode for a full hour.
You generally get 10 waves in your hour in the public sessions. Some dicks were pulling out early and getting a couple more - but that’s rude and they miss half the wave anyway. Generally vibe is good. Everyone enjoying themselves. 18 surfers is a bit much but keeps the cost down.
I’ve also done private sessions where we have booked one side for the hour and put a group of 12 together ( you pay for 18 so $105 each rather than $80). This to my mind is actually better value. You have your mates hooting and cheering and stirring each other, you catch a wave every set eg 14 waves is doable in the hour. If you can get a ground together definitely do that.
Unfortunately one hour is fun but two is better and three is brilliant. If you are going to really splash out I’d suggest First hour on intermediate to warm up if it’s your first visit, a hour break and then a hour on advanced rights, break and the advanced rights. I know that’s a lot of cash but if you are short of time and annual leave and all that think of it as a one day lux boat trip.
As to barrels. On advanced you get 40 mins turns - and I love the turns setting, then 20mins barrels and not had a problem finding them ( other than my skill getting out ). Even with a bit of onshore. As trees etc grow should be no wind in there.
Urbnsurf have a bit of work to do with staffing and operations, facilities etc The website booking system is shit. Minor things and with the right attitude it really is hard not to have a lot of fun at the tub. I plan on tucking some coin away and doing 4 or 5 visits a year. Mini surf trips.
I’m thinking it won’t be as busy come winter given pools are even cooler than the ocean and Tullamarine is not know for warm ! So maybe there might be some opportunities for less in the water or specials.
Anyway I’d definitely recommend. Just go and really enjoy it.
Cheers
Good review..cheers
Hey Lost,
Very impressed by your level of stoke!
Want to buy my gold membership?
Na mate I read the small print and was not impressed with the use or loose it conditions each month. The 10 pacts are better value in my view until things calm down. Have spoken to a few guys with memberships getting frustrated they can’t fin session to book. I’m also thinking come winter there will be plenty of spots and probably specials.
Bit of spew just entered my mouth Thank you waves69
.....oh yeh the chlorine can do that.
Ps pretty easy to just ignore the whole pool thing if you are not interested.
Oh I thought you were having a dig at my post....just watched waved69 video. Oh dear
Oh I thought you were having a dig at my post....just watched waved69 video. Oh dear
Has anyone had experience with board hire? I'm flying in from interstate for the day and was contemplating not bringing a board but not sure if it's too risky. I have a 6&7am session so would hope to find a board available at that time of day. Not particularly fussy just a 5"9-5"11 would be just fine.
They do hire boards.
$15 or there abouts for a couple of hours. (You pay for damage).
Best to contact them for (hire) opening times.
Definitely go EPS - Foamies don't work/float in chlorine. Unless you're riding a big board.
Urbnsurf 2023 Tide Timetable for Jan/Feb/March
https://urbnsurf.com/wave-schedule/