Watch: URNBSURF set to reopen
After being forced to close in March, URBNSURF will reopen this Friday the 19th June.
It's a partial opening - no surf lessons or spectators - but fortunately for surfers the pool will be running at almost full speed. All sessions will be run on 'The Point' with individual sessions set to either Cruiser, Intermediate, Advanced and Expert settings.
For Cruiser, Intermediate, and Advanced sessions there'll be 18 surfers per side, but this drops to 12 for the Expert setting to increase the wave rate - and yep, it barrels.
URBNSURF made use of the enforced downtime. “During our closure we completed our winter maintenance early," says Founder Andrew Ross, "so the park is looking incredible, and the lagoon is an idyllic, crystalline blue.”
"We’re delighted to offer two new surf sessions featuring a range of new waves," added Andrew. "Our new Cruiser sessions are designed for surfers who love riding a longboard, mini-mal, or fish in peeling pointbreak conditions like Point Roadknight. And if you chase slabbing barrels, then our Expert sessions will serve up variations of our infamous Beast mode, with limited spots in the lineup to maximise safety and wave count."
Comments
Geez....18 people sounds like a crowd.
Bobbing around in a swimming pool wearing 5 mm rubber whilst sitting shoulder to shoulder with 17 other crew and waiting for a chest high , low energy wave sounds like an average kind of session.
36 less people in the ocean on the day though !
Wait.....that’s each hour , isn’t it ? So over the day it’d probably soak up quite a few punters . Nice.
Agree totally and that footage just makes it look even more like a circus!!!
Don't knock it 'til you try it. : )
100% mate one of the funnest days I’ve had surfing when I done the 5hr hit
12 would be perfect but 18 is really still fun. Unlike the ocean you are not competing and people generally line up and wait there turn plus waves come in sets of 12 and a very short period between sets. 12 waves in a hour keep you pretty busy. The vibe in the water so far has been amazing with everyone hooting and encouraging other surfers.
Blowin if you are ever in Melbourne with some mates it is definitely worth a crack. A lot of fun with friends and heaps of laughs with beers after. Not a bad way to spend and arvo.
Still havent surfed it, had a session booked in just before Covid so have credit, it's so annoying that SW-NW is onshore chances of getting a nice offshore at this time aren't real great but chances of getting an onshore pretty high, might wait until spring.
Hey Indo I wouldn't worry too much about the wind direction. Its fun even onshore. The building (and hopefully some greenery growing now) help. Very different to the ocean. Its temperatures that will be the killer. Somewhere between 8 and 12 degrees. Seriously cold. For the time being they have closed their hot showers and I don't think they their hot tubs running because of social distancing.
whats the water temp like now?
That's the big question...the bay temp is 12.2. It's got to be a degree or 2 colder. It probably will also swing in 24 hour periods. Early sessions may be a 2-3 degrees cooler than arvos. It's not unusual for Tullamarine to drop to zero overnight in winter, and then get to a maximum of 10 degrees. So yeah...probably very cold will be the answer.
The saving grace will be sessions are short and you generally don't need to duckdive/paddle out.
you booked in Stok?
how much rubber?
Yeah I got the gold membership so I'm there once a week when it's open.
Got a brand new 4/3 the other week so it's all nice a sealed up, so will just be using that with boots, gloves and maybe hood. If it's too bad may be an excuse to grab a 5mm to keep spare for any cold water trips in the future.
Personally cold water surfing only gets bad when you have a long paddle out (or paddle back) with a heap of duckdives, or when you're sitting around waiting for a wave. Then again I've never surfed anywhere colder than Vicco so I may be in for a shock.
Yeh I'm hoping the constant movement, 10-12 waves and only 60min session will mean the cold isn't felt too much. It'll shock a few though that aren't used to winter surfing and may not have all the rubber needed
They had water temp in their newsletters until a few months ago. Last I remember was 14 degrees which was 2 degrees colder than the ocean at the time. Too cold to advertise now!
Asked them a couple of weeks ago.....9.7º even for Victorians this is fricken cold, from anyone north of the border you may die of hypothermia (if it gets below 18º you won't go in the water I heard). I whinge badly at 12º so at that temp you would need toes to fingers covered and a cry for help.
Had a 30 knot Southerly when i went on advanced and was still fun. Barrels of the first couple of waves in the last 20min when they crank it up. Booked in for expert in a couple of weeks. Interested too see whats its like.
Just bought a Gath too hehe.
Yes Nick we had southerly at what seemed 40ks I think in Feb and was a blast (literally) with a group of mates, great fun. Interested to hear what the expert is like and if you survive the cold. They rent the Gaths as well now.
Looks like a ride you would see at Dreamworld.
the dredgy little pits on beast mode look fun, but anything less looks like a grovel. a cold grovel
Cold might be a understatement. Bloody freezing I reckon. Super fun though. Even had fun on intermediate mode surfing with my son.
Definitely footage from warmer months. 18 on each lineup seems a bit too much and the barrel section only looks appealing to grommets and those of a small size. Still want to try it out though, just when the warmer months come around.
A few knockers down below, I would be curious to know if they have surfed it! I for one loved it and can't wait to hit it again. I do well if I get 6 waves per hour at a busy spot on the coast, whereas I was getting served up a dozen waves with my personal name on them. Winter temp and cost are the only acceptable criticism.
Better fit for Sunny Coast rather than Slater's IMHO...
Looks and sounds fun....
Need one on the Gold Coast.. Ah, on second thoughts build two. They'd probably both be booked solid 7 days a week.
make that 4 , gotta soak up DBah , Snapper and Greenies crowds
Seems that the feedback is generally positive and fun, and cold. I can see how it would be a fun day or a good way to supplement waves during flat spells or onshores.
I'm assuming intermediate is a notch above cruiser in size and intensity?
Edit: haven't watched video yet.
I think previous settings had Advanced as half and half. It would start 'intermediate' and the barrelling advanced wave would kick in with about 20 mins left on the clock. It happened in my session without notice so I wasted a couple of waves until I woke up to it. Watching an intermediate session later in the day was a shit show. The take off baffled the many lets say 'less than intermediate' surfers. Some never made a take off, floundering in the line up. Collisions were common. The new cruiser mode I think caters for those surfers. I'm guessing the take off is more user friendly.
Thanks for the feedback. I'd consider myself more genuine intermediate. I have some pool credits and my strategy is starting with an intermediate session on both the left and right before perhaps tackling advanced, at least on my forehand. I want to be challenged and quite frankly not surf with mals. I do enough of that at the more cruisy spots I surf.
I think the cruiser addition is the best decision they could have made. I had a couple of intermediate sessions and it was clear there was people in the water who had absolutely no idea what they were doing - carnage ensued. The intermediate wave is probably only 2-2.5ft but the take-off shocks many as it's relatively steep for a 2ft wave and it sucks you back, so nose-diving or simply missing the wave was common, creating a crowded take-off zone.
It's a fun wave all round, just lacks a bit of guts that you'd get in the ocean.
Belly the intermediate level is good fun. Great for practising turns. It's not an easy take off (for the level that it is pitched at).
And a tip for those first time...paddle like no tomorrow to get onto the wave. I thought I would just paddle as I would on a 2 foot beachie, nup. The thing gains speed as it moves so you need to really motor otherwise it will pass you by.
I have had a few people ask the same question or come up with the same idea.
Could one of these be put in a sheltered part of the ocean or an estuary. Could the technology driving it survive in a salt water environment and what are the potential environmental impacts beyond the power required.
Heard good reports from local surf shop owner late last year. Less than 12 degrees sounds like a punish though.
a gath hat isn't as crazy as it sounds, you can guarantee the firstaiders will have their hands full when the expert sessions dish out some beatings.
The beast mode barrels don't exactly do the same thing every wave and you will at some point either a. hit the bottom or b. cop your board in the head/body having stalled for too long or picked the wrong angle out of the baz.
The 'surf chimp' photographer had a great laugh at me after he captured me cartwheeling through a micro barrel after messing up my line.
There’s gonna be a sprint to be first in for that hot outdoor shower post sesh.
I'd go again as a fun in the sun thing on a hot Melbourne day when the surf is shite here.
rather eat a steaming dog turd than rubber up for sub 10degree water though.
thats a nope squared from me.
Early signs on the booking site may suggest others agree with you... even though it's back open for booking there's still plenty of sessions available next few weeks, even on weekends there's slots available. Maybe punters are waiting to hear first reports on just how cold it really is.
Haha. Ill fly up with a steaming dog turd from my ridgey/great dane. She won’t leave you wanting more. Alternatively, ill meet you at the pool and we get shacked in 4/3s instead of 2/2s.
It’s a win win for me here on out! :)
It's not too cold at all, I had a few sessions over the weekend and again Monday.. 2 hours each time in the water. It was sitting around the 10 degree mark. I was toasty as in a 4/3, with boots, gloves and a hood which I would pull up and down depending on the wind.. Cruiser setting is fun for logs and will be great for beginners progressing to trimming - it will likely keep a few beginners out of the intermediate sessions and reduce the carnage.
What board did you use on the cruiser? I'm taking my grom there and thinking my shorty and fish may not have quite enough volume.
I tried a few different ones - MR twin which went ok, a 7'6 and 8'6 as well as a 8' foamy.. it's about waist high with not a lot of push. It's aimed at logs and beginners learning to trim. Hope that gives some insight.
Positives:
reducing numbers to 12 in expert, decent barrels on beast-mode, new hot tub looks good, good fun with mates, fair go for all, hopefully keeps the kooks from clogging the ocean.
Negatives:
- 18 people is crap - not enough waves and too much waiting / jockeying around trying not to get sucked into the cheese grater, $130 for an expert session, generally too expensive, weak waves for turns, freezing cold in winter (they need to at least take the edge off with some solar hot water)
Note:
BYO board! Good chance of breaking or dinging a board and they'll charge you the earth for a replacement or repair cost of rental.
Places like this give me a good dose of gratitude. My beach break was head high, peaky, offshore and the water temp was 22 degrees this morning.
12 Degrees - pfffft. Taswegians will be flocking there in their double neck spring suits.
Biggest change is going from Private one sided beast affair to 2 sided 2x daily beast.
Tues /Thurs winter > tide rushes out for L/R beast then tides in on Wed/Fri am Beast.
This sets up Advanced am daily Setting until pm Expert repeat tides.
Summer's day tide is evaporated before pm beast > a higher rush during am Beast.
Many different tides to consider now the beast is back.
Sat/ Sun / Sun Beasts may yet factor in more (pm) runouts as expensive Bookings lift.
Season + Bookings + Firing order dictate the Power of the Beast.
Heaviest on least water: book > Expert (1st Summer am Set waves 1-4) Offshore!
Longest draining barrel time: book > Expert (Last Winter pm set waves 1-4)Offshore!
Next big thing is friggin' [WR] huge
Urbnsurf Boardriders club numbers 600 since end of Jan: (3 new members/day)
Yes Today even! These Stats are insane for World's most exclusive surf club.
This will likely increase fast as L/R beast is on offer for Members (No extra cost)
Urbnsurf Boardriders will have outgrown Surfing Victoria by years end...(A beast)
tbb is guessing that is Oz biggest Boardrider Club...1,000/year = $3m = WSL comp.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/193336558698622
One of these pools in 10 countries then you have a Wave Pool Club's Pro circuit.
(This being a private members payroll offshoot ) Commercial gate takings are safe.
No Govt / Sponsors assist! A Member funded Boardriders circuit out gunning WSL.
Those membership numbers & money are a wake up call & will reshape surfing.
Notice Urbnsurf Boardriders / Learners & Wave Pool have SA/WSL/Olympic backing.
But Urbnsurf Boardriders are financially & contractually independent from SA/WSL.
Basically SA / WSL needs Urbnsurf more than Urbnsurf needs them.
Request Crew's assistance for Urbnsurf Boardrider Club Membership [Spy Intel].
Quite a lot going on here & tbb is only getting more confused with who surfs where?
Annual Pool Memberships > (Free UrbnSurf Boardriders Club) + Comps [Yes / No]
UrbnSurf Boardriders are not endorsed (Members) of Surfing Victoria [Yes / No]
USB [f] swear they are not officially endorsed or associated with UrbnSurf [Yes / No]
Can anyone join USB [f] or USB Club Comps without Annual Membership [Yes / No]
Is USB Comp Club Membership "independent" from USB [f] Social Club.[Yes / No]
Do all current Advanced Memberships include an Expert upgrade. [Yes / No]
Noticed (8) more joined USB [f] today...thinking maybe 'Expert' is included in Pass?
Tip for local crew...be sure to check on [Pass-Expert] or seek upgrade loophole Shh!
As Expert gets popular they may exclude it from any (temp upgrade?) on Pass.
Just saying to get in quick to wrangle any free mark of the Beast Stamp or Trial.
Mostly as rules & upgrades are changing thick & fast by the day.
Anyhow! None or maybe one answer is more than tbb is hoping for...(Pretty Please!)
Could ask urbnsurf but 1 question usually takes a month's reply...(That's pre covid!)
Reason for asking is that tbb swears one or two of the crew are USB members.
Any inside word on Oz biggest / exclusive boardriders Club 'USB' would be Gold!
Qld / Vic Covid -19 Quarantine
tbb's doctors say no beaches or sand banks or walking. (Wave Pool ...Hmm!)
Urbnsurf is not ordinarily out of tbb's reach & have considered the special treat.
$_ 500 Qld < > (Urbnsurf) Day Return AirFare
$_ _80 Urbnsurf Session (1hr)
$_ 120 Lunch / Cab / Bus / Hire
$2,800 Vic > Qld Return Quarantine (2 weeks)
$3,500 for one Urbnsurf session + 2 weeks dry docked
Possibly still not half of the cost of Kelly's self isolated Wave Pool but getting there.
Vic Surfers to Qld (Winter Escape)
$_ 500 Return Airfare
$2,800 Vic > Qld Entry Quarantine
$3,300 2 weeks dry docked.
East Coast + Vic + Wave Pool Surfers Unite...
Don't let the man rob your good times & Money.
This is the loophole that Grey Nomads are exploring...
Milks NSW surfing / beaches as cool go between for 14 days Quarantine
Qld Premier is seeking to Lock in the $200/night Hot Hotels deal.
Alternative NSW old school Surf safari...
Grey Nomads + Qld Tourism are booking out Beach Parks & hogging hi-ways
Surfers need to plan a Northbound NSW East Coast 14 day Surf Safari Itinerary.
They need to do this as Govts are promoting the Coastline & space is limited.
NSW Surf towns collective need only package a $200 night northbound Surf Safari..
NSW South border > Finishing with Tweed Heads on Day 14 /15...
Urbnsurf Qldurrz are free to surf home + Vics are free to keep surfing North into Qld.
Saving $2,800 dry docking Govt Quarantine in a Hot Hotel.
Obviously banning any of those rad Hot Spot Surfers from the safari.
Coronavirus gobbles Grey Nomads for breakfast...Qld may pull up their wagon train!
NSW won't surrender new Tollway cash cows, Nomads are now prime mover class.
Vic-NSW-Qld Surf safari can also calendar Surf Comp legs without Quarantine.
Just needs to lock in a Kombi ride between each of the $200/night Surf Camps.
Anyhow! Worth a thought to break the Deadlock & pending East Coast massacre!
Urbnsurf Break out Safaris "The Next Wave".
(Water Temp is hitting single digits)
Learners & Hodads are braving the Slushies...
Winter wave Ranking (by Bookings) Same L/R
(1) Cruiserz (By far the No 1 wave...surprise to all)
(2) Intermediate (Some sessions sell out but can book next day easy)
(3) Expert (Same as Intermediate can book any day after next session)
(4) Advanced (Is backing down real fast... > Regulars trying new waves?)
$69 Cruiser may have a rogue inside section or kicker?
Note that Urbnsurf closed the [L]-Play Bay
These learners are most likely slotting into Cruiserz...(Makes sense!)
Crew are lining up to swab that 2nd Wave Hot Spot Slab.
https://scontent.fbne6-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/105533792_27061147496015...
Ultra Clean Pool is dazzling in the Winter brightness.
https://scontent.fbne6-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/p640x640/83687594_271647...
Lookin' good Urbnsurf...swellnet crew wish you all the best...Hang in there!
I expect they’ll be closed from tomorrow.
closed for 6 weeks?
Spoke to them this afternoon and they were working through a plan based on latest guidelines. Should have news tomorrow.
a plan to stay open?
Not sure. Short call.
Just tried to book out of curiosity to see and they’ve marked everything as sold out as far as I could tell.
Swimming pools are going to be closed. Maybe they can get some wriggle room given the size of the pool and low numbers in the water?
Would love to see it open. Common sense would show there's be minimal chance of virus transmission in a chlorinate pool. I mean you're still allowed to get your hair cut FFS.
Advanced L/R only sessions for this arvo then closed as Nick says.(re: above)
Next up are arvo sessions & looks like the last of it...
Wed 8th July - Advanced (L) 1pm + 3pm
Wed 8th July - Advanced (R) 3pm
Tell Willy Wonka that swellnet crew sent ya... give ya a free helmet & spade.
All cruiserz / intermediate / Expert sessions are booked or finished
*Qldurrz pushed Mercedes into donating some of her hollowed out surf mats...
Just breathe in tight & hold onto the roof racks...
https://www.seabreeze.com.au/img/Content/11459345/Surfing-a-Sumo-One-VER...
Can see why they locked Viccos indoors...
Son of Blob - Beast gobbles up half the city overnite.
https://urbnsurf.com/stories/wintertesting/
https://urbnsurf.com/stories/expertsessions/