Webber Wave Pools begin work on their first wave pool
Webber Wave Pools are on the verge of firing their first shot in the wave pool war. Their long awaited venture now has a completion date and it's measured in months not years.
"The structural and mechanical enginnering is already under way," says Greg Webber, "while the civil work, the excavation of the lagoon, begins in six weeks."
The finished pool will measure 300m x 150m with a central island
When complete the wave pool will be a 300 metre by 150 metre 'looped linear' lagoon with central island housing the hull drive system.
It's this part of the operation, the hull drive system, that Webber believes is most crucial. A few years back Webber and Kelly Slater, via his Kelly Slater Wave Pool Company (KSWC), engaged in some thrust and parry via the patents office, each vying for commerical rights over various aspects of the wave making apparatus.
The companies have since settled down and begun working with their allotted designs. For Webber that means a kelvin wave, as opposed to a soliton wave that KSWC and other wave pool operators use.
"Utilising the kelvin wave gives us much more capacity to customise," says Webber. "It's super responsive and it gives more of a cylindrical tube as opposed to a high, almond-shaped barrel."
The shape of the wave is a virtue of physics, says Webber, before describing how kelvin waves differ from solitons, the most pertinent aspect being that solitons are solitary waves - there can be no wave in front of them and hence no trough. Webber's says his design will feature "a trough in front of the prime wave that leads to water draining backwards towards it." It's another way of saying the wave sucks up, which creates a wider barrel for the same depth of water.
And the location of the first pool? Well, Webber is a little coy on specifics, he understands the cloak and dagger being played between operators, so all he'll reveal at this point is the region. "It's in South-east Queensland. It's out there, but not too far."
He's also reticent to divulge the Australian license holder but says the US licensee, Ocean Sports Development, have just signed an exclusive agreement with Sports Facilities Advisory (SFA) with roll out imminent across the country. SFA's website state they "plan and assist in funding all types of indoor and outdoor sports complexes." While their sister company, Sports Facilities Mangement (SFM) "open and manages indoor and outdoor complexes, tournament venues, community recreation, and youth/amateur sports facilities."
Said SFA Founder and CEO Dev Pathik of his involvement with Webber Wave Pools, "We are thrilled to be playing such a major role in the development of surfing. This is one of the most exciting changes in sport that we've seen in decades."
Comments
Hahaha...
In all seriousness though. I hate the idea of crowded ocean breaks too, but to argue against it would be no different than being a white Australian and disapproving of all the immigration. You've got to be pretty tough to look at yourself honestly enough to admit that you are part of the problem and to accept it. Andy you are my crowd and I am yours.
We are the world, shoredump, we are the children...
Apart from the way you're grasping at straws such as supposedly not caring about children, and being racist, let's leave the comedy routine aside.
Are you really saying that I've got no right to be against a push by individuals who aim to work with governments and international committees such as the IOC to consciously increase the number of surfers by massive amounts, for financial gain, almost certainly at the expense of Joe Average surfer down at his/her local beach?
You can spin and obfuscate all you want, but that's the reality.
If you're interested, have a look at these character traits and see what they indicate.
Seriously, copy, paste and search.
- Deceitfulness, or conning others for personal profit
- Reckless disregard for others
- Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having mistreated another
Is this a quiz?
Is the answer Trump?
Or Malcolm (in the Aussie version)?
Hehehe, mate I think you're outclassing me on the comedy routine.
Yes that is what I'm saying. Despite what you believe, you don't own surfing, you can't decide how Greg turns a buck, and you have no say in how future generations choose to interact with nature. You want surfing all for yourself.
It's not a rise in surfer numbers that worries me, that has been happening since the beginning of surfing.
It's the exponential rise in surfing numbers that these pools potentially offer.
Comes down to the intent of Webber and Slater and their assessment of the consequences of a mass proliferation of these pools. Hopefully good sense takes prominence over greed....
There are two things occurring. One is this: wave pools are here. Second thing: some people think this will affect 'their' experience of surfing in the sense it may taint or take something away... When any individual feels threatened by what 'may be' there is a simple disconnection with what 'is'. ;);)
This ONLY applies to a person who actually struggles with their own ability to have fun and hence chooses to unconsciously decide that an exterior influence or activity will be the determining factor! From here a survival instinct kicks in to preserve or attempt to maintain something that is non-existent. Having trouble grasping it?! This non-existent thing... some like to call it happiness or contentment. And some try and rationalise their lack of something through their actual dependence upon a particular pursuit or 'thing' that may or may not even generate this supposed happiness or contentment. Yet sometimes we wish to put the emphasis on a thing to just try and understand what is 'meaningful' to us. This can take on extra importance if the connection is through nature;);)
For a lot of us this thing IS surfing! And fark yeh it's a wonderful thing. I imagine a lot of us here (for and against) have one clear and unifying constant in our lives... Surfing! In the ocean or in a pool - you are free to make a distinction - just be careful to have done the time in both before you sprout existential facts!!
From being a grom learning about the ocean... Spending sun soaked days each school hols - or every morning and arvo for us lucky buggers that grew up within walking distance of the beach... The hrs spent daydreaming of waves in school and then to escape to go surfing as soon as school was done (or just missing school coz the swell was on!) are cornerstones of Aussie youth. How farkn lucky we were and are;) And this carries on into most of our lives - look how many of us put in the hrs at work to then carefully plan and exact another surf mission after fulfilling duties and kid requirements etc. Each adventure gathering us more knowledge of the ocean, the tides, the winds, the equipment we ride and as a result our ability to gain an understanding that allows us to score good waves and experience pleasures beyond what words can even describe. The introduction to and experience of wide and varied cultures through travel... Most of us are better off because of surfing and nothing can take that away!
It is a tremendous gift. We are blessed to be surfers. All the times we get skunked are worth it because we are learning. If we aren't learning about the ocean or surfing itself, we are learning about ourselves and how we can adapt and adjust to adversity, and more importantly, how we can carry our stoke back on land. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, a few of us have developed a possession of surfing... The supposed joy has only fed the 'idea'. Surfing in it's purest form is just fun - yes hard work and injuries, sacrifices and expenses come into play... But we do it coz it's mad fun;)
So the only thing amongst all the pretend bravado, the perception of what's cool/what's not, what's right/wrong, who is selling out and who is being 'true' - the only thing we can't lose sight of is that surfing is fun (reminder that fun cannot be identified as something you can 'have'!) This fun, if it is true, can only be shared and will manifest as encouragement to others so they can hopefully experience this too... Coz if you're really having 'your' fun, you won't mind that someone else derives their fun through different means;);) Whether or not you dislike/like, agree/disagree is the irrelevant part unless you have a hankering for misery!
Pls read that last bit again...
So this is where wave pools have come into play. Not all wave pools have been a success or will be. The fact is what is on offer now is pretty impressive so what's ahead could possibly be amazing - cudos to Kelly and good luck to Greg! All the people lucky enough to surf Kelly's pool look like they're having a fuckload of fun. SIMPLE! So let them have their fun... What the fark else is goin on out lemoore way;);)
The resentment comes from the reality of only those who aren't actually having fun with their surfing. The ASP or WSL or local board comps or big surfing companies or whoever never have and never will get in the way of me scoring a few empty pits or nice whips off da top! No extra people in the water ever gets in the way of anyone finding the means to seek out new places... They may get in the way of what 'was' for you, or what 'may be' ;);) But that bit is up to you!
If surfing is a distraction to deflect what's really going on for you, well, you may be in real trouble... Maybe memories of uncrowded waves, empty line ups and so on are just that - just memories. Just ideas... Your beliefs, perceptions, assumptions. Just that! Try let them go.
Pretty sure the smiles on the faces of Steph, Kelly, Felipe, Gerry... whoever... They are REAL smiles. They are real coz they are removed from what 'may be'. We as surfers have a lot to learn... A hell of a lot;) So cheer up detractor muppets and get over yourselves - the people having fun are the people actually having fun!
Who would you rather be? ;)
Jelly Flater you are now my new guru! Well said!
Well said Jelly. You just took me back to a simple time in my life as a very young kid. The complete innocent joy of fist standing up on a board in the foam, the very first unbroken wave I caught, surfing with your mates after school without your parents "supervising".
Surfing was and IS pure joy!
perfect, just perfect - well said :))
Greg when I finally saw the railway track and train making the wave the industrial nature of it really hit.
Is your technology based on a simiar method or different as you talk about water drawing off the bottom.
Still think the artiffical reefs sound way more interesting in deaing with current crowding issues.
Something that catches enough sand to make a wave and then lets the rest keep moving.
'a push by individuals who aim to work with governments and international committees such as the IOC to consciously increase the number of surfers by massive amounts, for financial gain, almost certainly at the expense of Joe Average surfer down at his/her local beach?'
Shoredump, I'm glad you've admitted that this is the bigger picture of wavepools for surfing.
In case you were wondering, those personality traits that I was talking about earlier are part of the definition of a sociopath.
Sound familiar don't they.
Partial credit goes to Shatner's Bassoon.
..and when it gets really big, like snow boarding, bmx, skateboarding or big bash cricket, I still say the sky won't have fallen in. Relax man, everything is going to be ok. I'll even buy you a beer at the wavepool one Friday arvo if ya like
"Relax man, everything is going to be ok"
You sound really, really creepy.
Only because you have interpreted that way, same as how you view the wave pool.
Just wondering how Dan Mackenzie is going...remember him he started digging on his land west of Newcastle around July 2012 for a Webber Wave Pool prototype 150 metres long
He was actually that impressed he invested with the Company...along with Rabbit
Has he finished digging yet ?
Any updates?
R u still sure u can improve on kellys wave?
6 weeks up yet ?
Is this wave making machine going to make as much noise a Slaters Train does ?
Greg digging still on schedule mate ?
OK , the 6 weeks are up , has the digging begun?
How about an Update Greg
And are Crystal Lagoons the supplier installer of the pool liner ?
Swillnut club tag team... well, another one... again... and again and again...
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Any news on this pool ?
"The structural and mechanical enginnering is already under way," says Greg Webber, "while the civil work, the excavation of the lagoon, begins in six weeks."
So yes UDO , according to GW , work should be underway , the Lagoon has been started a month ago .
GW is going to finish the pool, run the tests and then market them commercially , and that's why Kelly is so scared and just powering ahead before GW's pool embarrasses him!
Ok, Block of wax & bragging rights to the first person to locate and confirm the location in SE Queensland for the magical & mystical Webber Pool. Sooo looking forward to seeing what is will be like.
This was such a busy thread before, now its dead. Greg if your out there can you give a quick up date.
C,mon , for awhile there you were frothing on on tne dig starting and everything.
I am going to suggest that the pool will be somewhere in the LOGAN city area.
And the location of the first pool? Well, Webber is a little coy on specifics, he understands the cloak and dagger being played between operators, so all he'll reveal at this point is the region. "It's in South-east Queensland. It's out there, but not too far."
Anyone with contacts wither the LOGAN council?
Anyone want to spend time trying to find the DA on their website???
So, Greg Webber is still silent here too?
Hmmm.
Construction status?
Or.
Has it gone off the rails?
OK , so surf lakes is up and running and seems to have a few people with credibility spruiking it , so Greg where are you at with your pool?
6 weeks is now nearly 12 weeks , and not a sign of anything yet , Stu , have you been able to contact GW?
yes GW , a progress report would be nice. It's not like you've been a stranger to this forum when it has suited you , or your "investors".., how about giving the average punter a heads up on what's going on? Maintaining radio silence is not a confidence winner.
yup. news update please
You haven't moved to Majorca by any chance GW. ??
Digging is Underway !
By Surf lakes for there proto type on the Capricorn coast
Coffs Advocate
Wot u doin Webber ?
https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/surf-sports/plans-for-gold-co…
Sorry the link is paywalled.
THE man behind a global skateboard empire wants to build the first surfing wave pool on the Gold Coast.
A company co-founded by Penny Skateboards whiz Ben Mackay has met with Gold Coast City Council officers to build a high-performance wave pool at Stapylton’s McPherson Road.
Tunnel Vision Wave Pools Pty Ltd, created by Mr Mackay and Joshua Neale, of Kingscliff, in July, are expected to officially lodge plans by the end of the year.
The Gold Coast Bulletin has learned the company wants to install a wave pool using technology patented by surfboard shaper Greg Webber on 95 hectares of farmland on the Pacific Motorway.
A council source said documents would be lodged once final hydrological studies were completed.
“It’s not far off being submitted and it is a really exciting project,” the insider said.
“There’s a lot of interest in this one and it will be great to see it get up.”
Attempts were made to contact Mr Mackay for comment.
The bid would be expected to go through council planning between March and June and construction start within a year.
It is understood the wave pool, which could cost $10-30 million to build, will use technology patented by surfboard shaper Greg Webber.
Mr Webber has repeatedly said his technology was superior to 11-time world champion Kelly Slater’s Californian prototype which has revolutionised the surfing world.
The technology caters for all surfers, regardless of ability, as the degree of difficulty can be varied.
Surfing stalwart Andrew Mckinnon said wave pools were the way of the future for surfing. “As far as competitions go it’s hard to beat wave pools,” he said.
“It’s a welcome addition to the Gold Coast.
“Where it will take surfing above the lip (with aerial manoeuvres), it’s hard to say.”
Webber / Freeride Tea Party
Greg said...lets meet up face to face and video the meeting..pick a time and a place....
Well fellas ........Your both at the Snapper comp.....How about it ??
The Waco pool looks fun
Bumpity bump.
is it still being built ?
All the red tape was cleared in August so I guess they'd be getting their hands dirty.
Update from Greg please....paging greg w to the office!
540 comments and counting!
Thanks Ben
Just scrolled down for 10 minutes to read your 4 words
lol
Any way we can get something at the top of a page to link straight to the end .
How about now? LOL
Secret wave pool in Tasmania.
Fresh water.
located in Southern Tasmania.
located in Southern Tasmania.
Build it and they will come.
Greg Webber, "while the civil work, the excavation of the lagoon, begins in six weeks."
And?
hey wingnut. not that i mind you chasing up all the stories (i'm curious too), but ...
you an investor and waiting for a return? :)))
I have no financial or any involvement with any of these pond wave builders.
I'm just really curious as to the different strategies and success of the concepts. It just seems to me the biggest, most prolific, spruikers are the furthest from delivering.
onya
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