The WSL is hosting the first Pro-surfing tour event at the WSL Surf Ranch in California (formerly the Kelly Slater Surf Ranch). I took my daughter to the Founder's Cup event here in May and it's quite something. Nothing will replace the ocean - but this is perfect to advance surfing in the TV/live webcast age (or for the Olympics). Each wave is perfect, totally controlled, so heats can be timed according to the time of day vs nature.
The way it works is that there is a big train-like engine that holds a giant foil blade (imagine a huge snowplow for the water). It runs from one end to the other and can be adjusted for speed as well as angle of attack. Can also create both left and right waves. It creates repeatable perfect waves even with a barrel section.
Again, nothing will replace the ocean - but this solves a lot of problems with beach permits, local unrest when an event disrupts access to a public beach, and event windows are not necessary (i.e. 10 day periods where the event can start and finish). They might build something like this for the Tokyo Olympics where surfing will be a medal event.
Note: the WSL contracted for Facebook to carry their live feeds but there was such an outcry that they are providing it via their website too, for now. So in the link below, you can close the Facebook login window and watch on the WSL website. Round 1 live right now.
[video]http://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/344194/its-on-day-1-of-the-surf-ranch-pro[/video]
The way it works is that there is a big train-like engine that holds a giant foil blade (imagine a huge snowplow for the water). It runs from one end to the other and can be adjusted for speed as well as angle of attack. Can also create both left and right waves. It creates repeatable perfect waves even with a barrel section.
Again, nothing will replace the ocean - but this solves a lot of problems with beach permits, local unrest when an event disrupts access to a public beach, and event windows are not necessary (i.e. 10 day periods where the event can start and finish). They might build something like this for the Tokyo Olympics where surfing will be a medal event.
Note: the WSL contracted for Facebook to carry their live feeds but there was such an outcry that they are providing it via their website too, for now. So in the link below, you can close the Facebook login window and watch on the WSL website. Round 1 live right now.
[video]http://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/344194/its-on-day-1-of-the-surf-ranch-pro[/video]
