How to surf, even far from the ocean?
Today, more than 20 million people are surfing enthusiasts. More than a sport, it is a lifestyle: communion with nature while practicing a sport and a leisure. It is ranked in the top 20 most popular sports and attracts more and more people every year.
However, it cannot be practiced all the time and everywhere. Unless you can travel, all over the world, to go throughout the year on different spots. And then, not everyone lives on the ocean or near a spot where the waves are of good quality. On the other hand, surf schools are saturated and cannot satisfy all the requests for learning.
Wavegarden, an artificial wave, was created by engineer Josema Odriozola and sports economist Karin Frisch, two surfing enthusiasts.
Wavegarden, or how to recreate the feeling of surfing the ocean
Wavegarden is the longest artificial wave that creates ideal conditions for surfing. But also for other sports such as bodyboarding, SUP or kayaking. This system allows to create waves of all sizes and shapes, in a natural and safe environment. So amateurs and advanced surfers alike can ride the tubes, even with boards designed for the ocean.
The wave is modular, which allows even the best surfers to improve their techniques and performance. Finally, thanks to its size, it can accommodate many surfers, simultaneously.
Surfing like on the ocean
The waves at Wavegarden behave exactly the same way as they do at sea. Surfers paddle, stand up and ride along the wave. The wave allows for all surfing techniques, from cut-back to tube, to the end of the wave in the lagoon.
The waves created are similar to those of the ocean. Thus, to generate a wave, a mass of water moves over a surface causing the formation of the wave, exactly the same way as a wave in the sea. The only difference is that the size and speed of the waves can be adjusted according to the level of the surfers.
Wavegarden can produce multiple waves at the same time and offers two distinct areas. One for the more experienced and one for the novice. Both surfaces work simultaneously.
Britain's first off-ocean surfing destination
The first Wavegarden will open on August 1, 2015 and will be called Surf Snowdonia. Located in the village of Dolgarrog in the Snowdonia National Park, it will host waves 1.9 m high, breaking over a length of 200 m.
Austin, Texas, will also be home to North America's first surfpark. Located on a rural property equivalent to the size of 9 soccer fields, the lagoon will offer waves ranging from 0.5 to 2 meters in height. The waves will remain in place for 35 seconds.
