SURF'S UP IN YEPPOON
This engineering marvel is an Australian innovation that will change the face of recreational surfing.
Located in Yeppoon, on Queensland’s Capricorn Coast, sits a wave pool like no other. The research and development facility for Surf Lakes, a public company self-described as “providing a technologically advanced wave-generating device and bathymetric reef designs to wave park project developers around the world”, is a world first.
Heralded as a unique proprietary wave-creating technology, Surf Lakes is the only wave creator based in a lake environment. Using a central wave device (CWD), resembling something like a giant “plunger”, the system displaces water to generate concentric swell lines that consistently repeat to complete a set of waves across the lake’s surface.
Unlike other wave pools, Surf Lakes technology generates waves in a circular pattern, offering multiple wave types of varied shapes and sizes to be pushed out at the same time. This allows riders of varying expertise to utilise the facility together, with beginners learning to surf on one side while experts surf the gnarly break out back.
A revolutionary technology developed by Surf Lakes, a hydraulic system is utilised to lift and drop the central wave device. Compressed air is pushed through a tube to lift the CWD before the air pressure is released, dropping it into the lake. Occurring approximately every six seconds, the motion is repeated continuously to generate a consistent and adjustable swell.
To ensure the surfabilty of the swell, the floor of the wave pool is contoured using state-of-the-art computer fluid dynamic modelling. The lake is divided into sectors, with each sector separated by a “return channel” that allows surfers to safely paddle out between sets. Once activated, the CWD-generated swell hits the reefs, creating various wave patterns that radiate out across the lake at varying difficulty levels, giving riders a range of wave structures to choose from. The variety created in this process provides approximately 200 surfers the ability to ride around 10 waves per hour — a quantity that is unrivalled in the industry.
Another unique quality of the Surf Lakes technology is its ability to generate gravity waves with an orbital particle motion, mirroring the type of waves found in nature. Described by surfers who have tested the Yeppoon wave pool as an authentic “ocean-like experience”, Surf Lakes’ technology is an exciting development in the industry.
With an eye toward sustainability, each Surf Lakes facility can be 100 percent electrically operated by an onsite renewable-energy power station. In addition, lake water will be treated in accordance with local regulatory authorities in each location. Water treatment processing includes filtration, chlorine generation, chemical dosing and reticulation to ensure the wellbeing of users.
The only Surf Lakes site of its kind so far, Yeppoon wave pool is the prototype for this innovative technology. Though not yet open to the public, in 2022 an announcement was made that the Yeppoon site will undergo upgrades that will turn it into a world-class tourist destination open to everyone.
A $187M development has been given the green light from Livingstone Shire Council to develop the Yeppoon site, which will include the surf lake and additional facilities such as a skate park, renewable energy facility, tourist park and accommodation facilities. Surf Lakes hopes the Yeppoon project will enable them to continue their mission to “build surfing communities to create a healthier world.”
And that’s just the beginning. In addition to developing the Yeppoon site, Surf Lakes has been contracted to provide their technology to a surf park in Austin, Texas, USA. Set to be the largest integrated wave pool development on the planet, the 12-acre Surf Lakes project will be surrounded by boardwalks, restaurants, hotels, retail outlets and a residential community.
Recently awarded the Innovation Award at the annual Australian Surfing Awards, Surf Lakes is happily riding the wave of its own success all across the globe.
COMPANY
Surf Lakes
W surflakes.com