Kelly Slater Wave Company Builds in Abu Dhabi
A few weeks back, Stab caught wind of a story about a wavepool - A KSWC wavepool no less - being built somewhere in the Middle East.
At the time I thought nothing more of it; I awake each morning to an inbox full of wavepool announcements. 'Wait until the D10s move in,' has become the criteria for running pool stories.
What I should've done, however, is spend a moment scanning Google Earth, because not only have D10 earth movers dug a mighty hole, but the hole is full of water and the other garnish: train track, grandstands, offices etc., is also in place.
The 'hole' is on Hudayriat Island, Abu Dhabi, on the shores of the Persian Gulf. The island is being built as a sports oasis in the desert with mountain biking, climbing, a velodrome for cycling, and now surfing too.
This morning, Time Out Abu Dhabi came clean on the project:
"Love catching waves? Then you’re going to love this.
"The world’s biggest artificial wave facility in the world is set to open right here in Abu Dhabi later this year.
"Located on Hudayriat Island, Surf Abu Dhabi will feature the world’s longest ride, biggest barrel, and largest man-made wave pool."
Those last claims read like any other wavepool presser, however the Abu Dhabi pool is shorter than the Surf Ranch at Lemoore yet noticeably wider - possibly to provide greater capacity to settle.
When it opens in late 2023 it'll be the first KSWC pool after Lemoore. This follows false starts at both Palm Beach, Florida, and Coachella Valley, California, plus protracted site issues on Australia's Sunshine Coast.
Comments
And in the future we'll see the 'Middle Eastern Storm' emerge as a force in world surfing... maybe?
LIV surf tour
Didn't think it would happen so quickly!
@freeride76
I didn't think surfers would be such heartless, gullible scum.
Kelly Slater, owner of Outerknown "Leading the Revolution in Sustainable Apparel"
Kelly Slater, namesake of wave pool in artificial oil-funded authoritarian middle eastern country.
Huh?
Dude - Like KS ever cared about his own Carbon footprint.
Anyone ever seen him at the back of the plane on a long haul.....
They're all hypocritical wankers - which is why I drive a V8
Not sure I follow. Do you drive a V8 because you don't believe in man-made climate change or you believe in man-made climate change, but other people are hypocrites, so you can emit whatever you like and fuck the consequences?
These Climate change zealouts are worse than the God Botherers and Happy clappers of the 90s
We're all going to hell...
Did you join the Church of Satan in the 90s?
safe and effective
Kelly is an environmentalist socially, but commercially the guy is a total industrialist; just look at the epoxy mass-produced boards & diesel-run, water-demanding wave pool! As Esky pointed out, he's now getting into bed with the Oil Sheiks.
Just remember, Kelly, ya can't take it with ya, but your environmental impact will live long once you are gone!
Can’t wait for WSL Pure with Kaipo in the Persian gulf. Sustainability!
Maybe Kelly’s new turtle moon sandals will offset the Abu Dhabi pool?
Amen brother, was thinking exact same. Money hungry Gimps !!!!
Bahahaha comment of the day!
Lame, Kelly's pool tech is 2nd the worst one.
1. Surf Lakes (Occy)
2. PerfectSwell (Waco)
3. Wavegarden (Melbourne)
4. Kelly Slater Wave Co.
5. Webber (Proof or ban)
You surfed them all I guess?
Nah just like many inside points where you wait for a while for sets to wrap in but when they do, the swells are so lined up and cleaned up its worth the wait..Kelly's original pool and now easier takeoff pool in Cali is a longer barrel and worth the wait imo..
If i had a few mill to spend (and surfed like i was still 30) i would visit any of kellys future pools rather than the others..Its subjective personal taste though and like food tastes..longer, wider barrels are more important than airs and turns.
It will probably cost more than a first-class Emirates flight to surf the joint if the Ranch is anything to go by.
They are going to run ‘the first world tour event in the Middle East’ next year aren’t they. FFS
It looks like Greg Webber’s “W” logo in the middle of the pool.
Some fantastic PR-speak in the presser for the Abu lagoon:
“When we opened the first wave, the mystery it created and excitement that ensued was something I’m not sure many have experienced,” said Kelly Slater, 11-time World Surf League Champion and founder of KSWC. “Surfing reaches people in all corners of the globe and I’m always surprised with who gravitates towards this world. Having a KSWC wave in Abu Dhabi is something I’ve never dreamt would happen but here it is. Unbelievable. While not many would have predicted the location for the project there are great synergies with Abu Dhabi and like KSWC they are always innovating and ahead of the curve. This is gonna be a lot of fun for so many people.”
Jeff Fleeher, President of Kelly Slater Wave Company, said, “As a global hub for tourism, sport, and business, with diverse peoples and cultures, Abu Dhabi is the perfect place for us to showcase KSWC’s unmatched wave technology and surf experience. We’re fortunate to work with Modon and join Hudayriyat Island’s incredible ecosystem of sport and recreation to foster new participation and enthusiasm for surfing in the Middle East.”
Bill O’Regan, CEO of Modon, said: “At Modon, our role is to support the growth of Abu Dhabi’s ambitions and sports asset development strategy which is contributing towards a legacy of sporting excellence.
“As the world’s premier man-made surf experience, Surf Abu Dhabi is specified to host major international surf competitions. It is a high-performance destination that will offer world-class surfers the perfect conditions to train or compete, while also growing the region’s surfing community, and inspiring wider society to embrace a healthy new activity.”
Construction of Surf Abu Dhabi is expected to be completed by December 2023.
I had the pleasure of living in Abu Dhabi, and if the construction of KSWC is anything like other large constructions in Abu Dhabi or the UAE, the construction is almost certainly going to be carried out by indebted slaves from Pakistan and other such areas.
Perhaps a good journalism question to KS on this might be:
"Given the UEA atrocious record on human rights abuses against labours working on large constructions - which are common place in the UAE - what are you (KS) doing to ensure the people working on the KSWC are not being subjected to such standard practice abuses? where is the evidence for your claims? and would you be willing to subject your worksite to a truly independent labour condition review?"
As an avid SW reader, I would love to hear his answer to this and other questions in the same field.
And the safety stats from construction, just think you'll be surfing over the top of entombed migrant workers.
Good call, I'm keen to read that.
@JackStance
Well said mate. I want to hear those questions thrown at ALL the people involved in this insanity.
I lived in Abu Dhabi for 2 years, same this is spot on, every thing over there is built on the cost of lives of Pakistanis and Indians, it is a terrible reality, you had the chance to see the places where those guys live, the level of hygienic,... It is quite sad. Kelly Slater lost some points here
My son lives there,he is hearing $500 per wave,only for the wealthy
Wow!
and it will be booked solid
Someone the other day said that a wave at Lemoore worked out to be $7k. Don’t know where that figure was plucked from though haha.
"What it costs to surf the Kelly Slater Surf Ranch: It’s accessible via private, pros only or with paid ‘spectator’ admission through WSL VIP experiences – although this might’ve changed since the WSL cancelled the Surf Ranch Pro. The wave tank prefers to operate mysteriously, but in reality you can call up and rent the whole place, assuming you have the right number. High-season daily rental is around $70,000 while low-season costs are $50,000. Daily per person rate (at 10 surfers) is $5K to $7K. Hourly cost per person works out to $875 High Season $625 Low Season. For 12 waves it works out to $425-to-$575 per wave, or $9.50-to-$12.75 per second. Easy."
https://wavepoolmag.com/2023-price-guide-to-the-worlds-surfable-wave-poo...
What is the Water supply to fill that Huge Lake - DeSal or Ocean Water ?
UAE migrant workers' tears?
they're slaves.
@basesix Spot on!
Don't forget the tears of their own people though. The women are treated worse than dogs in those countries.
All the arguments for and against wavepools aside…surely Dubai is the perfect location for one.
No natural waves locally, finance to build and upscale to best tech, no need for short term ROI and high net worth individuals to utilise facilities. And it appears to be a value add to a larger project and not stand alone.
How good is my corpo speak!!
I surfed in Dubai once on a naturally occurring wave. The stationery at wild wadi was more fun though
Me too ... Before they built all the islands Jamera Beach got consistent 2 foot slop for half the year. Lived on the beach there 30 years ago... Local board riders club was called SODs... Surfers of Dubai.
You forgot to use 'synergy'.
@crg "How good is my corpo speak!!"
It's a shock really. I thought you had a bit more sense than to make fun of this topic.
There's a multitude of ways to make a point surfie...you obviously missed mine.
@crg - Well my guess was sarcasm? [you sure took the time to reply and tell me I missed the point, but not the time to explain your point]
If so, I'll reiterate what I previously posted, I don't feel any form of humor is relevant for this very serious and sensitive subject.
https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/united-arab-emirates
The humour police on patrol at the gallows.
@stunet
I have enjoyed your news-contributions to the surfing world for many years and thank you for that. I have however felt the opinion articles/personal opinions you guys at Swellnet offer are far less valuable, and at times problematic.
I feel no shame in standing up for what I feel is right/wrong and clearly stating why I think that way. Which is more than you guys at swellnet usually do. Seriously, who/what are you guys afraid of to properly explain what you think/believe? Is it the surfing industry or your subscribers or both?
Either do a News piece or do an opinion piece but don't mix them together as is the usual here. [For context - You guys write an unbiased News article, then comment about it in the forums with your bias opinions. That is a journalism fail.]
When you do an "opinion article" properly label it , explain it and stand proudly behind it or it's not worth the pixels that display it.
Give us a news story and let the people on the forums give their opinions about it, or simply write an opinion piece. You can't do both if you want to retain any credibility.
You may also want to remove the snarky troll-style one sentence reply's as that also immediately removes any credibility you may have had.
"The humor police on patrol at the gallows."
Society [not me] has dictated there are some places that humor is just not acceptable.....are you going to make a joke at someone's funeral, domestic violence, etc?
Spare me the sanctimony, mate.
Look up gallows humour or black humour, and understand that it's some people's way of dealing with darker issues. Doesn't mean they're siding with the oppressor or whatever, just another way of expressing emotion.
Also, stop telling everyone how to think and act. You're a one man dictatorship.
@stunet
I accept your points and am happy to plead guilty as charged on the count of being sanctimonious dictator. This subject brought up too many emotions and I got a bit too fired up. Obviously I need to remain calm and think more logically and clearly before I communicate on sensitive subjects.
I feel it would be nice to get a more calm and crafted response from you as well, as you seem to be a bit hot-headed like me at times.
None of us should be above taking criticism from others.
I tried by mentioning 'gallows' - i.e gallows humour - but you missed it.
Not all of us have your grasp of the English language mate.
This is obviously an important issue to you surf.rat and I don’t think anyone here is disagreeing with you.
No where in this article is there reference to anything other than the fact that a wave pool has been built.
The commentary is an open forum to let any interested party state their views.
You’ve chosen to air your strong and passionate opinion on the labour situation in Saudi Arabia which I don’t think any sane person would disagree with.
I agree with you.
But, the problem, is the problem.
Expending your rage and frustration towards anyone who doesn’t even disagree with you, merely fails to communicate in the manner you expect, seems a waste of your time and energy.
It certainly doesn’t help one worker in Saudi Arabia.
Well said crg..
@crg
I really appreciate your time to craft a kind and considerate response.
Yes, I do admit I am guilty of becoming too emotional on this subject [human rights] and failing to communicate in a rational way that will make any difference. I am happy to be called out for that and happy to try and make a more constructive contribution in the future.
I think we’re all guilty of that when the occasion arises surfie.
Kudos for owning it.
It can be maddeningly frustrating seeing the situation over there and realising there is very little we can do about it.
Sometimes a good dummy spit is unavoidable!!
To be fair it’s actually the forecasting that we’re all here for, the rest is just something to read while taking a dump. If it’s unbiased humourless journalism your after try beachgrit.
@Stu - can't help but wonder if a deftly deployed emoji would help in this situation? That's why they designed them is it not, to add context eg sarcasm?
Replies to replies being particularly problematic because they are able to be interpreted in a number of ways that they probs weren't intended? Just an observation.
Mitch the Dev how much work is involved I wouldn't have a clue.
Editor in chief is ultimate boss of everything on here, you carry that burden well Stu, i think most would agree but in this situation you might've been misinterpreted.
Would emoji fix this ??
(Likes & dislikes could benefit overall communication too I think, it would add weight to perspectives)?
Love your work, the comments section rules. Freethinkers freethinking
Maybe, though if you read back, Surf Rat also deemed sarcasm out of bounds.
I also hate emojis.
Hahaha
I can't believe I suggested it
@stunet
Re: your snarky comment about me to @standingleft [even after my apology]
Takes a strong man to admit he was wrong and honestly apologise like I did today. What more do you want from me?
Seems you are not only above any criticism, you are above needing to accept apologies and move on.
I didn't get 'snarky' from Stu's comment he was just pointing out to me that you referred to it.
I think we're all on the same team here so it seems mad that it's blown up and was making a suggestion to counteract it in the future because you're a good guy and I'm sure no one is trying to offend you because you're right, human rights are no joke
Mate, I was explaining to SL why his suggestion wouldn't have worked.
Nothing snarky.
Jesus...
As I understand it, Lemoore was only originally developed as a testing/prototype facility based around an existing waterski pool. It will be interesting to see if this new purpose built pool has any improvements; better turbulence dampening etc.
I wouldn’t think new KS wave pools would need to be as long as the Lemoore pool. Is this one even longer?
Not as long but much wider.
Lemoore approx 600m x 50m
Abu Dhabi approx 400m x 90m (even up to 100m in parts)
Ok, thanks Stu. So, I would reckon a shorter wave with less residual turbulence (wider pool) would enable much quicker wave frequency. They could design a high action WSL event that would be over in less than a day.
Aaah Humans. Everyone must have everything they want, all of the time, whenever they want it, regardless of the cost (to the planet we stand on).
As soon as the Sharif was out their hair
The jet pilots pull in to the tu,u,u,ube
one wave every three minutes. wow...where do I sign...
So who’s surfing there? Some of the regions’s sheiks dusting off their 5’11s?
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis just got a new favourite wave
Dana White
The sheik shack
I'm so happy that they'll be growing the regions surfing community.
Whats the closest Surf Community... Israel ?
bit rude udo,
&t=46sthe Persian Gulf itself has waves that rival Middleton or Goolwa!!!
(If I was a salty surf legend, I'd stick my crusty board collection up for sale,
hoping KSWC're decorating some sheik Hard Rock Cafe style convention centre..)
That's all time Perth
heaps good SA surf you're referring to there mate
Aye, 1stPp & seaslug, we heaps-gooders share much with our western cousins. Builds character ; )
They’ll knock over 1 pool a month the way they go over there …
Who knows the most wave rich haven on earth one day LoL
@warddy
A "LOL" seems mindlessly misplaced there mate. These scum of the earth, and everything they stand for are not a laughing matter.
I hate to get all dystopian, but is Abu Dhabi where the 1% are all gonna head to when the rest of the planet is unlivable?
The future has already been written- https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780399131868
Even self labelled ‘sustainable’ and ‘ethical’ projects often turn out to be greenwashing.. this one doesn’t even claim it.. so we are 100% sure it will burn heaps of CO2 and use salves.
Hope they go ahead w it, will beat surfing snapper the bogan shit hole
Awwww, someone didn't get their share
Well, I've never been so depressed by a surfing article in my entire life.
WTF Kelly? Really? You would so quickly burn your Surf-legend legacy [and any chance of being called a decent human] for a few extra dollars? Do you have any morals? or did you secretly hide the fact you never actually had any all these years?
Lets not beat around the bush here. If this is all true, the you [Kelly] have sold your soul to the devil in no uncertain terms by condoning modern slavery, Green-washing, women's rights, etc, etc.
You are not welcome to paddle out on the Gold Coast any more, and I will personally do my best to drop-in on you at every opportunity I can. I am sure many more will do the same, and you may have already surfed your last proper wave at the superbank without even knowing it.
Oh and considering the WSL is part owner of the KSWC, you will not be having any more contests at the Superbank. Well you can try but It would only take a few people paddling out at snapper while you are trying to run a contest there to fuck up your fun. @WSL, Are you going to get us all arrested for protesting against you getting in bed with a group of people with some of the most horrendous human rights violations in the world? good luck trying to arrest 150+ surfers at once.
Kelly and the WSL need to take a good look in the mirror as this is a line in the sand they should not have crossed, and it will lead to their downfall.
To be fair, the most horrendous human rights violations in the world are likely committed by the US and the rest of the West and the violations certainly don't get fair airplay. I think the narrative that non-western countries are the worst is a debatable claim.
Given what is coming through on this thread, it is reasonable for the readership of SW to request the excellent team at SW ask KS some of these questions and raise these concerns to give him a right of reply. That seems fair to me. If he doesn't answer, than a 'no answer' is never silent: it leaves open the drawing of a range of inferences.
But at least the questions would be put to him by reputable surf journalists.
That counts for something important.
What do you think Stu?
@JackStance
I agree that Western Countries like our own, have a terrible record of human rights.
The "facts" will disagree that it's anything like what goes on in a lot of these non-western countries though. We all know about how poorly they treat females.[ Ask your wife/girl-friend/daughter if she has the same opinion as you?] These countries live with the same rules and attitudes as they did 2000 years ago. Fucking cave-people mindset at best. They will happily kill and enslave their own people to stay in power. This money is pure blood-money and there is no way to sugar-coat it. They [Kelly/WSL] know exactly what they are getting into and to argue any different is just pure nonsense. Not sure how any right-of-reply is even worth listening to.
Yes, the money the WSL and Kelly are currently using is NOT clean, but no money ever is. It's about how much blood is on that money and at some stage you need to draw a line in the sand and show some morals.
..and yes the surfboards I ride are made from oil, possibly even from the country I am berating so I am also contributing to the problem of keeping them in power. I know everything we do/buy has some blood on it, but I do however think there are visible lines in the sand that we should never cross.
100% @surf.rat. Wonder how many migrant slave workers will die building this for the Wozzle?
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/23/revealed-migr...
flameo hotman!
you go surf.rat
I've often thought why don't people confront the wsl circus with a 150 man paddle out...
especially after the nauseating elo-fication of the WSL and the shameless green washing they engage in
this might just be the trigger
and, serious questions for kelly... (wtf is he thinking?)
how's that corpro speak in stunet's post?
sad sad days when surfing has gone above and beyond the worst and wankyest of corporations and their psycho marketing babble
(the ever growing use of 'ecosystem' should be banned now!)
Ill stick to Mother Natures playgrounds , the world is your oyster for surfing natural waves dont get caught up in the hype .
I’m curious about the function of the big W in the pool bottom. I assume it marks shallower water. I suppose the main wave would run down the left hand side.
I’m pretty disgusted by this.
99% sure they’ll have a CT comp there next year, so good luck to all the surfers on tour who are a part of the LGBT+ community. Will be very interesting to hear the surfers thoughts on this issue.
But, I think I’m most disappointed in how far competitive surfing has fallen. The restructuring of the CT circuit is a joke. The robotic nature of the completely ‘Americanised’ broadcast and the clear pandering towards certain surfers from a certain nation for pure profit means.
And now this total and utter crap. Im genially disgusted. Surfing is a sport that takes place in the OCEAN. An ocean that is being destroyed every day by the damn country you allowing to green wash it!!! FFS.
Time to move on kids. No soul or integrity anymore.
you guys don't have faith in the WSL stopping the floggings and stonings of minorities? they've saved a handful of turtles and planted at least 15 trees in the dunes this year alone
Actually Mike, it was just one turtle but filmed from different angles.
ah well it's the thought that counts
Don't forget the WSL/Ikea Kaseberga collection. Surely that puts their environmental credibility up there.
true true, how could anyone forget
Kelly's so old he remembers simpler times.
When male religious leaders were in control to keep their women in servitude, when you could keep people prisoner and profit from their labor, when any 'perversion' outside man/wife sexuality was illegal. He reminisces and then a truck loaded with cash pulls up.
That's LIV - they just need a Greg Norman or a Kelly Slater to enable it.
The UAE is Australia’s biggest trading partner in the Middle East and Australia is working on a free trade agreement with them. So, it’s not just the Kelly Slater Wave Company.
Also, the pejorative 'Middle East oil money' can easily be swapped for 'Australian coal money', cos our exports sure ain't slowing down.
Yeah, there's a big difference between our politics and human rights compared to theirs, but if you run with that argument you better have a damn good defence at the ready.
#1 swellnet has history on digging out Kelly's hidey-holes...top marks Stu & Craig!
Let's see if we can add some chemical concoctions worthy of #1 Wave Pool.
It kinda presents all very secret but there's enough crumbs about!
This may take a while as there is quite a background + but enough detail to tick most boxes.
tbb promises to stick to the script & not waste yer time...clear to go...
Just reminding this stuff writes itself...so whatever splats on the windscreen is counted as a passenger!
Ubu Dhabi Wave Pools have long held International acclaim on pioneering modern surfing.
1998 > Wading Wave Pools
2012 > Wadi Wave Pool hosts WSL Pros > Sally 3x / *Kelly / Medina / Jack Freestone + Many Pros
Yes! *Kelly's Abu Dhabi Wadi Session was confirmed in SMH + heralded in other media
2012 > Blue Movies xxx (Wadi is first to sexploit Hot Arse Hot Tubs)
2013 > Wadi hosts Volcom Surf'n'Skate Jams (m/w/gromz/micro)
https://surfparkcentral.com/just-add-volcom-surf-skate-jam-wadi-adventur...
2013 > All Stars International SUP / Tour Comps (Live Stream)
World leading live day/nite local/international surf events still today, way ahead of trad surf hangs.
2013 > Yas (Oakley / GoPro) Double Barrel Flow International / Tour (Also Under Lights)
https://www.flowrider.com/world-flowboarding-championships-announces-flo...
Crew can read that #1 Surf Park in International Sports precinct is the next step up not a leap!
Sure! A major leap forward for surfing thru our eyes but standard for cashed up Abu Dhabi.
Just wrapping that up...Abu Dhabi are Unopposed leaders in PrimeTime Wave Pool Comps.
Kelly : "There are great Synergies with Abu Dhabi...they are always ahead of the curve!"
Politics (Again...this won't shock...but tbb is sharing the timing & coincidence as being important!)
Crew know that Kelly is Syrian on his Dad's side & can still surf for Syria in Olympics.
2022 (Combos) UAE & Turkey > Jan 2023 Russia & UAE + Turkey & Syria
March 2023 Abu Dhabi bestow Full Honours upon Syrian Prez Bashar al-Assad (US Nemesis)
Ok! Now...
2023 Abu Dhabi bestow magic Carpet Ride for US / Syrian Peace Envoy Prince Kelly
The pool represents a Showcase Sporting recreational Oasis for peace between US / Syria / UAE
Mixing Politics + Sport + Olympic Stadiums
Cue Wannabe Olympic Training Pools (vs) WSL Olympic Standard Comp Pool
Ok! All know of WSL evil plans for World VIP Pool Party Domination but how is another thing...
That takes some real sneaky backdoor sniffing...exactly wot WSL do best...Play the VIP Wildcard!
Obviously Abu Dhabi's Hot Tub Island Fantasy has been on the boil for some time...
So why bundle all these Sports on one Island...cue the White Star Line Whiteboard.
https://www.arabianbusiness.com/industries/real-estate/abu-dhabi-announc...
Quiz:
1. Why does Fantasy Island Velodrome have Copyrighted Olympic Symbols plastered over it?
2. Why are French / German / Emirates flags bossing WSL Surf Venue?
3. Why are Parko & Medina watching Kelly taking the piss in his Pool...sure looks that way!
Arabian Business : "Surf Abu Dhabi will provide an ideal location to host major international events and will play a major role in developing the Surfing community locally, regionally and globally!"
Modon CEO : "Hosting international Surf Contests at the biggest Surfing Hub!"
https://www.essentiallysports.com/us-sports-news-surfing-news-landmark-p...
Ok! We all know WSL are pushin' for more nite Wave Pool Events to exploit Primetime options.
March 2023 Abu Dhabi were chosen to Host "International Masters Games 1-31st March 2026"
https://imga.ch/2023/03/22/imga-elects-abu-dhabi-2026-as-host-for-the-fi...
https://imga.ch/event/2026-open-masters-series-abu-dhabi/
IMGA Organization is Partnered & Recognized by IOC & IPC
A blind athlete can see sniff out the Fully Licensed sell out of Olympic Rings...(How much per Ring?)
Even a Kook can tip off WSL on how to backdoor a fully licensed Olympic Wave Pool...
International Masters Games
https://imga.ch/masters-sports/sports-and-disciplines/
Sports > (Lifesaving / Skateboarding / Water Sports)
Abu Dhabi IMGA Surfing Showcase will likely & soon be sanctioned as IMGA Hodad sport.
Just as The Loopy Velodrome...so too shall the Wave Pool be looped with Olympic Leis
International Wave Pool Comps usually run back to back then a year or two off then another go!
Flow Venues can last a little longer up to 5 years or so with X games / Gig format.
Most usually die off after that...as next big thing wipes them out!
Major Problem :
Where to find a 50 year old Master Surfer to award himself a Gold Medal in his own Olympic Pool!
Can't think there'd be too many of them about...good luck with that!
Dec 2023 timing to slot KSWC Official Fully Licensed Olympic Wave pool into LA / Oz Para/Olympics.
WSL might yet incorporate an Official Olympic Standard Hodad Skateboard Park & SUP circuit.
Flags : French / German Flags boss IMGA + Host Nation Emirates + Compatible WSL Oz / US Flags
Just saying that France / Germany involve more with IMGA so will proudly fly in GOAT's IMGA pool.
They're also #1 primed cash Cows for French Olympic Surfing Spinoff...2 reasons to Fly their Flags!
Wave Pool
https://wavepoolmag.com/wp-content/uploads/kelly-abu-dhabi-main.jpeg
WSL Night Comps > Google shows 18 Banks of 6 Flood Lights surround Pool ... [ Tick ]
We can be assured of many Celeb Hodad Night Comps!
Big W model may be larger but seems to operate on much less water with @ Wonka bars.
Design saves heaps of water & power as it utilizes thatched banks to stoke wave face & kick it along.
Interesting that with all the bank changes the curved shoreline shape remains as is!
Indicating that these proportioned banks are essential for the Power Surges to Kick the wave along.
Pictures indicate Ye olde angled Snow Plow is being been replaced...
No surprise as wide Bladed wave must haul it's own wave weight puffing more as it trawls along.
A bit like pulling a heavy arm load
The new Foil looks much more angular or bevelled with a secondary prong.
A Bevel edged Bifurcated / Coring / Peeling Blade should cut thru with back up power push.
Sharpens up the face as trailing secondary flow thru power drive bulks up the wave from behind.
Instead of a wide Snow Plough being weighed down by own heavy trailing arm load...
Think hardcore Syringes / Fountain Pens / Peelers / Corers or Dual offset Vert Blades.
These spear & slice as they shoulder the load behind to thrust with backing power.
All next level that push thru endless 'mass' work loads with minimum resistance or waste.
Easy for society to skip over these small scale ingenious inventions for much larger resourceful use!
Slices thru resourcefully to gain Power + Ramp up size.
We can't be sure of design with these two images but there seems to be a dual thrust mechanism.
Note 2 Prongs + 2 separate parallel banks...
Outside possibility :
Even though the nearest bank parallels 10m from Fencing...it's now closer to the power source.
This new huge angle step design may trawl a 25m face opening out toward spectators...(See Photo!)
But it's a shorter (25-30 secs) WSL length ride to shut up the whinging Pros. (My legs are burning!)
Full Frontal face also means a lot more inshore overflow...(See crude diagram below)
ES / DB : " Demanding City Project answers (Long Lull - Low ride count) Critics!"
Unsure if this means more waves/hour or better sharing of different shaped waves/hr...
****\W/**** Example : Each 4min wave puts out 4x L / 4x R or 1 surfer / minute
Consider the Pro Wave is only half as long as original leg burner.
As Stu said...if inside \W/ bank clears the wave 2x faster = 2 min lulls = 2 surfers / min.
If 4x banks \W/ clears the Wave 4x faster = 1 min lulls = 4 surfers / min
However! The Less water / Less Power should also work to keep the price down!
If we articulate what's been presented it should look a little like this...
=========================< Foil >=========================
Point break \\ Warning XXXX [ Pro Reef Slab ] XXXX Warning // Point break
Middle break \\ Wonka Bar \\ [L] // Beach \\ [L] // Wonka Bar // Middle break
That brings us ashore to the [L] Market...
Arabian Business : "Surf Abu Dhabi seeks to attract everyone from beginners to Pro Surfers!"
Modon CEO : " Surf Abu Dhabi will meet all demands from beginners to Pros!"
Ok! Those comments in part answer the reason for these overflow Wonka Bars...
This huge inshore overflow should reform to stoke several designer Big W Intermediate + [L] banks
Very clever as Mass [L] market will pay a fortune for Kelly's Sticker [ I got bumped off the GOAT Track ]
Of course tbb least knows about how this works out...simply filling in the gaps of wotz been said.
Enough to know this very refined Beast can wipeout warriors as it cradles middle earth Gromz.
So yeah...tbb thinks Kelly is unifying Pros / Intermediates / [L] into different lineups in the 1 session
Basically offering similar Wave Pool packages for Mass Market but at signature premium as he can.
Not forgetting WSL may also brand Olympic Signature for Ultra Pro Coach pricing!
Ok! That's all we know & that's how it generally presents...Happy to share!
What an ethical can of worms. This thread could really go anywhere and forever.
The local surf culture is strong:
As Australia is one of the BIGGEST exporters and users of fossil fuels, I find SOME of my fellow Australians attack of the UAE hilarious and pathetic all wrapped in one.
I note Commbank ads on swellnet. Commbank bankroll fossil fuels.
No one apart from a few like minded heretics have given a damn, as surf companies moved to China to use uyghur slave labour in hidden concentration camps. But all of a sudden, Australians have some kind of moral stance on a wave pool in UAE? Fucking spare me. Go put on your made in China wettie, wax up with your petrochemical wax onto your chemical foam based surfboard also imported from China, designed to fall apart after 30 surfs, catch a few predicted swells thanks to satellites, and shut the fuck up.
You’re getting your boards from the wrong place sheep!
I do my best to buy Australian made. What brand of blank are your boards goof? Your wetties?
To be fair. Twenty years ago thereabouts, on an Emirates or was it Etihad flight back from London home via Dubai (was it?) the airline fair dinkum snapped clean 2 of 3 of my boards in two - same bag. Can't remember what they were - pretty sure one was a Simon Anderson 6'8. I think we called them semi-guns then (was step up in the vernacular then?).
so there's that too.
Did you know that Kelly Slater, Adam Fincham and their team of brilliant engineers have 30 wave pool patents.
Here are two excerpts from their most recent patents.
1 The wave pool includes a bathymetry that includes a dynamically shapeable reef along a length or circumference of a channel that defines the wave pool. (ASRs adjustable bathymetry patent has expired)
2 Abstract: A wave park for an open or large body of water is disclosed. The wave park includes a body of water, and a track positioned in or proximate the body of water. The wave park further includes at least one foil coupled to move along the track, the at least one foil being at least partially submerged in the body of water. The at least one foil has a curvilinear cross-sectional geometry that includes a leading surface that is concave about a vertical axis to provide drag to generate a primary wave laterally in water of the body of water that contacts the leading surface of the foil, and a trailing surface that narrows from a maximum width of the foil adjacent the leading surface to a point at an end of the foil, the trailing surface to decrease the drag of the foil and to minimize oscillatory waves that trail the primary wave from the water moving past the leading surface of the foil.
In layman speak, they have worked out how to eliminate or significantly reduce the secondary wave that comes off the back corner of the Lemoore wave train. (which means less seiching/turbulence, therefore a reduction of the 4 minute wait time between waves).
Got links to those 30 Patents Philo?
Awesome, an opportunity to ride the dream for me.
Thanks philosurphizing...Slater / Fincham 30 patents link continued...
Courtesy of request by udo ...now we're all on the same page.
https://patents.justia.com/inventor/adam-fincham
Here's a rundown of recent upgrades...
Aug'17- Feb '20 Bi Directional Foil that can be controlled to interplay the surface of the Wave Pool
tbb went searchin' for this new foil & got lucky...happy to share this with the crew...
If the Foil diagram link crashes > (Plan B) Check Fig 8B on Patent...(All Cool with that.) Should Link Ok!
https://patents.google.com/patent/US10597884B2/en
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20190063092A1/en
Aug '17-Feb '20 Reefs / Banks Bathymetry
Sept '18-Dec'20 Submerged Track + Part submerged Cross sectional Vert axis foil.
March '19-Jan'21 Pool channel contains 1st + 2nd Side Walls + A passive flow control mechanism.
Dec '20 - Sept '21 Wave Park (With Above upgrades)
Onward patents seem to refine this with other players...
Summary...(From Above) Think we got the guts of this now...
Foil is now more like a Perforated Knife Blade (Also Check Photos of Flagged Comp Arena wave front)
Can see this same new Vert / Square nosed Knife-like perforated Foil on submerged trax.
Can see how the push is now from beneath & Shouldered high'n'hard from behind breaking wave.
It has a real fine angle then steps down to a elongated Suds container that tapers off to (L/R) Axis.
Guessing this acts as a lightweight but forceful Bubble Curtain that powers the rear of wave along.
Well thought out as this cavity generates it's own whitewater to propel & power up wave height.
tbb wasn't too far off with the Fountain Pen idea but this Suds Curtain is light & has power...Clever!
Guess we all thought it had a shoulder as such to relive the enormous trawling stress on the Plow.
We can read Kelly includes Dual Channel Walls & all can clearly see this on Google Maps
Must admit...gonna look strange to see how this works...guess they ran it through his models!
We're all used to seeing the one wave...be like a Water Fountain or some shit!
We all plainly see the W banks or Wonka Bars = Kelly refers to this as { Dynamically Shapable Reef }
This loose terminology affords Kelly to continually reshape the Wave Dynamics to save energy!
Basically W today then S bends next month...only coz he hasn't locked in specific Bathymetry Patent.
Well he has...but under the flexible Reef Banks as he chooses...
tbb has spoken about Kelly's Wild Card option to play with the Bathymetry...that works in his favour!
Crew would know Kelly would never be happy to roll out generic Reef Breaks unless they were perfect!
We all know that means...Stand Up barrels with Guillotine Lip...stop droolin'
Anyhow...can thank philosurphizing & udo for bringin' it...nice work crew...we got a result!