'The Break' Surf Park Approved For South Australia
South Australia’s picturesque Fleurieu Peninsula will soon be home to a world-class surf park and tourism destination, with plans for ‘The Break Surf & Stay’ unveiled after the project secured planning consent last night from the City of Onkaparinga Council Assessment Panel.
The $100 million precinct will be located on 7.1ha at Tuit Road, Aldinga – set back from the coast on vacant land zoned for tourism development, just 40 minutes from Adelaide. With an expansive surf lagoon and beach, native vegetation, accommodation, wellness and dining precinct and coastal inspired community facilities by award-winning local architects Studio Gram, the precinct promises an authentic ‘barefoot luxury’ experience
Highlights of ‘The Break’ include:
- ‘Endless Surf’ powered 11,700 sqm surf lagoon with beachside amenities
- Cutting edge pneumatic wave generating technology creating high quality surf waves up to 2.1m high for rides of up to 18 seconds (single peak) or 9 seconds (split peak) – The Break intends to be the first in the Southern Hemisphere to employ this next-gen technology
- State-of-the-art water treatment plant with water renewably sourced from managed aquifer recharge
- Surf academy offering a range of surf-fit programmes tailored for all abilities
- 35 short stay villas, nestled into the local landscape
- Publicly accessible beachside amenities including craft brewhouse and licensed restaurant, plus nature play and skating areas
- Wellness studio and event space
- Retail and rental store for boards, wetsuits and more
- Lifeguard and first aid facilities
- All-abilities changerooms
- Extensive parking facilities
- Extensive native landscaping, with 300 new trees planted (including native and drought tolerant) and existing vegetation on peripherals maintained
Project founding partners Ben McCarthy, Richard Sheppard, Leigh Gapp and Dwight Stuchbery are surfing enthusiasts with expertise across property finance and development, engineering, sustainability and surf park technology. Ben’s work as the founding Group Development Manager of URBNSURF – operators of Australia’s first commercial surf park in Melbourne with a second in Sydney soon to be opened – has informed the team’s approach to surf park delivery and operation. Leading advisory firm FinCap is also on board to drive further investment in the privately funded project.
The Break has partnered with Endless Surf to deliver the lagoon’s wave technology, making South Australia one of the first locations in the world to use its cutting-edge pneumatic system. Similar to swell in the ocean, Endless Surf waves are made using air and pressure within pneumatic chambers, allowing for flexibility of waves for all kinds of surfers.
The project is committed to fostering healthy, active communities through its onsite surf academy and facilitating surfing participation and growth in South Australia, particularly among children and disadvantaged groups. The Break’s active tourism offering extends well beyond the surf lagoon, with visitors encouraged to take advantage of children’s nature play areas and skateable landscaping, as well as explore nearby coastal walks, cycling trails and beaches.
Additionally, The Break will serve as an ideal venue for a wide range of local, state, national, and international surfing competitions and events while providing South Australians with consistent access to world class waves, wellness and resort facilities at their doorstep.
It is anticipated that the project will support 300 jobs through construction, with 60 FTE opportunities on completion. An estimated 320,000 visitors will be attracted to The Break annually, enhancing the region’s already thriving tourism economy.
Construction is set to commence in early 2025 with first waves pencilled for mid-2026.
Comments
That is a really sensitive coast line and a surf park doesn't fit with the laid back character of the area. I can imagine the circus it will create at the two closest breaks when learners and visitors want to continue their session after a visit to 'the break'.
Wondering what impact in might have on activities in the Maslin's carpark adjacent?
Fark, well all the boomers that have just retired there, and changed the nature of that coast are in for a shock. maybe the grandkids will visit more often.. I assume 'green light' means 'some epic battles'.. why be 40 mins from a city, but ocean adjacent?
What does "an authentic ‘barefoot luxury’ experience" mean?
Foot massages done by real people.
To be honest, I think it’s a better location than either Sydney or Melbourne.
For starters, plenty of surfers actually live there and the adjacent coast line is pretty fickle. The whole McLaren Vale area is busy now and Aldinga itself is also pretty busy, has a brew pub, plenty of cafes and restaurants and lots of young families. New high school, plenty of land.
That actual location (Tuit Rd) is a bit out of town and accessible from the main road without having to drive through the main town area plus adjacent caravan park which will probably jazz itself up
jazz itself up, or jizz itself hard?
nice to have a local take, glad locals are finding balance in the news, good points..
Both to your question .lol
I'm no demographer, but I wonder if South Oz has enough surfers to actually make this viable. Melbourne and surrounds (Geelong, Surf Coast etc) is 5.5m people. SA's entire population is 1.7m.
totally. our state is a great one for speculative busyness as opposed to business. no-one nationally bats an eyelid, cos we look like a proper state on a map, but there's no-one here.. I wouldn't have it any other way, but the consequence is, there's been plenty of Multi-Function Polis and Build-It-and-They-Will-Come Folly threats, that I'm sure, secured weird sideways moneys..
Spot on Charlie - SA does not have the numbers. These pools need regulars and lots of them. Tourists and visitors are rhe icing not the main game.
Adelaide and regional coastal locations have a very robust surf population who put up with long periods of average wave conditions over the summer months. The pool will be busy most days. Whether they can make it affordable to play is probably the main factor. The 'Mid Coast' and surrounds have some amazing scenery with a large wine producing area close by. The Fleurieu Peninsula has some classic SA scenery and the pool is situated to take advantage of tourists. I live in the city so I wish it was closer to the Adelaide Airport as was first proposed but I go down to Victor Harbor to surf regularly so it's on the way. From a tourist point of view it is the best located pool anywhere in Oz and maybe OS.
as a core demographic though, when they can't even get a Hallett Cove I-can't-believe-it's-not-tidal swimming pool up?
"see ya luv, heading to waits or parsons"
"not to the wave pool though! I want them Mt Compass strawberries, not an apology shiraz! I'll be checking the bank statements.."
Better than Melbourne right next to an airport?
Come visit sometime and you'll see what I mean.
TBH, Adelaide is hard to get to and expensive for me- easier to fly to Melbourne.
That coast is a bit unique Freeride in that it has a healthy surf population but fickle surf.
Yes, first pool in Aus (Melb) was ideally placed next to an Airport but if/when every capital city has a wave pool what then?
May as well put it near where the surfers live so they can have a go when it’s flat.
If Adelaide/Perth/Goldy all get pools then the location near an airport is redundant.
Exactly, much as I personally dislike the Tulla Tub it seems busy all year round with lots of tourists. Some of the GP guys go there when they are in town and what seems like a dud location on the face of it has turned into a windfall - even in our infamous winter months (warning: anyone from up north the following may be offensive to you) it is much colder than the ocean.
@memlasurf
I made the mistake of going to the Tulla Tub in winter and it was so cold I couldn't feel my fingers for almost two weeks afterwards. 9 degrees C is a painful experience if one is not prepared.
Na the pool would need 600-700 people a day paying $100+ a session. Everyday, all year around. There is no chance of that. Closer to Adelaide would have been better bit even then I doubt they could make the numbers work.
That’s $20mil+ per year lost, where’d you get the numbers for that?
Yep you would need $20+ million revenue at least to make it viable. You have energy costs, insurance, licence fees for the tech, staff, maintenance, IT and marketing plus its a big fat depreciating asset. I did some
rough numbers on Urbrn to get to that.
You may be right but spend per person may be higher once you factor in food, accom, lessons, board hire, corporate days etc. Therefore you may need less people per day to achieve that income.
Trust me, I’m not sold on the economics of the pools, I thought at the time Greg Webber was fooling himself with his proposed economic pot of gold.
But that location has something the other pools don’t: a population of surfers who live locally, and what’s more they have an inconsistent coast.
It might work, you never know
For sure they will try for a higher spend per person but that really has to come from the same small group of surfers. Sponsorship, corporate days, events could all help. But i’m looking it from an investment point of view and am going there just isn’t the population for it - even in Adelaide CBD. Projects have to compete for scarce capital and there is no way someone is going to put money into this vs QLD for example
All true.
It will be interesting if it ever gets built or the economics just don’t stack up.
I think you might be surprised about the locals though. Surf starved locals and their kids who they are trying to teach how to surf will be a decent proportion of users.
In terms of the business model, accommodation down there is pretty much maxxed out in summer as it is, the resort itself may be where the money is, the pool just hoping to break even at best
That may be true- tourist accommodation with a wave pool on top.
Would there be enough local surfers willing to spend hundreds per session or thousands per year to make it sustainable?
Are local surfers that cashed up?
I have no idea btw, personally I couldn't conceive of spending that much.
It would be a very, very occasional "treat" for me.
wasn't even enough boaty golfy seachangey people to make this work
after reinventing what it was intended to be
Played golf there a couple months ago - we were the only people on the course on a Friday. Saw 4 cars in the carpark and no-one in the main resort area. Have no idea how they keep it running.
wow! how was the course? that's a good tip. Love the Fleurieu, I hope these businesses float and stay publicly accessible. Lots seem to have been bought by hopeful kids from rich families overseas to our north, like the 'new terry'. the promised '5 star hotel' on the clifftop at snelling beach has become a private corporate getaway, and the marron farm in the centre of KI, stonked by covid tourism death, was being subsidised by a club in adelaide owned by the same guy last I was there..
Course was in really good nick. Highly recommend a cart tho the walk could be a bit brutal
Mixed bag of characters on the mid coast, definitely a bit of cash in certain areas.
To be honest, none of the waves pools thus far I thought would survive but they seem to be doing ok.
In McLaren Vale there’s wine tourists, young families and established surfers all there, it would seem an ok proposition to have a steady stream of customers in one form or another.
We’ll see, there’s a fair chance it may never be built
Wow ,nice one lost, which you are no where near ......scrubbing up numbers like this.
Ever time I see a development like this I often wonder what they are thinking........
Who's to say the local surfers can afford to spend 100 dollars a day if the waves are flat ?
Just a question. Probably have to heat the pool also.... there's another cost to factor in.
It's never flat here Lanky - its the onshores that are the problem. Esp the relentless sou-easters in summer that's when the pool will be busy i reckon
Way way to expensive to heat these things. Its a massive body of water compared to a swimming pool. I think NZ us getting creative putting one next to a massive data centre which needs cooling. Water from pool can cool the data centre and warm the pool.
Do they generate that much heat seems like a coal power station.
"A single data center can consume the equivalent electricity of 50,000 homes.
At 200 terawatt hours (TWh) annually, data centers collectively devour more energy than some nation-states."
40% of this energy is used in air conditioning servers....
"seven million data centers around the world consuming roughly 2% of global energy demand,,."
https://www.ecdonline.com.au/content/data-networking-communications/spon...
"While some of the most advanced, “hyperscale” data centers, like those maintained by Google, Facebook, and Amazon, have pledged to transition their sites to carbon-neutral via carbon offsetting and investment in renewable energy infrastructures like wind and solar, many of the smaller-scale data centers that I observed lack the resources and capital to pursue similar sustainability initiatives."
https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-staggering-ecological-impacts-of-...
To summarise - yep they produce crazy amounts of heat
So sick that adelaide is getting something cool, this state is really starting to get better
They’ll be jizzing their pants with the news and jazzing it up when open
"Endless Surf to deliver the lagoon’s wave technology,"
Which one is Endless Surf?
Same one as Palm Springs in Ca?
Same tech which is going into Parkwood on the Goldy
https://pvgolfandsurfresort.com.au/
That’s the X factor Freeride.
Apparently the Germany pool opens soon, will see how it goes
320,000 people/yr, that’s 6154 people/ week, 880/ day. That many??? Think I’ll stay at my less crowded local!
Cost?
I'm guessing it will be very high to recoup money on that capital investment.
No chance in that location. Someone’s dreaming. Now they they have development approval they will be rattling the tin. It will fade away….
$70+ million to build. Thats with just basic facilities.
What gives these cashed up developers the right to destroy one of the last beautiful undeveloped laid back areas on the coast. Everyone I know hates the idea. It's like building a MacDonalds on top of Ayers Rock. It should be at West Beach or Glenelg. By the time it's up and running I will probably be too old to surf anyway, but just the attention it is already bringing to this forgotten in time little place is enough to fuck it up for good.
From the article….” set back from the coast on vacant land zoned for tourism development,”
You can thank whatever authority zoned it for tourism.
Will people actually see it? The one in Tulla is well hidden I suppose because it is non distinct from the other land uses around it. You could easily hide one in the landscape with careful grading and landscape works it is all one storey.
The quarry pit down the road, could be a better site to ....eco 'upgrade'.?
https://www.google.com/maps/@-35.2222453,138.4873102,851m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu
truckasaurus on Beach Rd (street view)
https://www.google.com/maps/@-35.2223924,138.4862288,3a,75y,320.11h,95.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s43LuePWLb6-srju0CHjEsg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu
It's been a sheep paddock for the last 100 years, what's to fuck up?
I'm not against wave pools however I question the location.....a wave pool next to the ocean seems a little strange.
They want to grow surfing participation particularly amongst "disadvantaged groups". Knowing that area there is definitely the have and have-nots.....
It's not the ocean it's a gulf which has Kangaroo Island blocking all but the most westerly long period swell. Too bad because some of the reef setups are great. The Southern Ocean is 30 minutes over the hills heading south but unfortunately has only one or two reefs that need a good southerly swell to get going. The rest is sand that can have it's day but usually average. Pity because it gets stacks of swell, hence the 'almost coast' tag.
Yeah I'm fully aware of the mechanics of this coast, gulf, ocean, sea however you want to describe it but I'm concerned with the impact it'll have on the local area be it environmental, economics or the further lack of planning around traffic and infrastructure. I'm not anti wave pools just anti shit planning haha.....cheers
That area has been raped and pillaged by the green cancer they call wineries. The pool sits on a small parcel of land compared to vineyards which use gigalitres of water during our dry summers. Speaking of dry, Adelaide and surrounds haven't had a decent rain for 4 months.
Yep, I question the funding model / demographics also. The region has never been able to sustain high end accommodation at scale, and that’s before you include energy costs to treat reclaimed water and power the pool. Location choice vs Glenelg / West Beach would come down to cheaper land cost to try to get the project off the ground. Might be complacent and haven’t seen the modelling, but I reckon finding someone to outlay the money to fund it will be a challenge. Mind you if we keep getting La Niña wave droughts in SA it could be genius …
I would suggest a project of that size will need more than 300 trees and providenced local native flora to offset that impost in an otherwise sensitive vegetation area.
Ah, all the bells and whistles fool some but not most.
I’d like to know the power usage for a project of that size.
No surprise, it’s just the continuum of the Americanisation of Australia that’s been going on for around eight decades, and it’s only getting worse. One upside, a body of water in SA that’s shark free !!!! AW
Only land sharks around this one AW
Matlock. Hi, good stuff.
They’re everywhere. AW
America is not aUStrAIlia.
What did the clash say....I'm so bored with the
.......nah buddy it's globalization that's been happening.
People enjoy change and new ideas and new innovative products
Australia is just as influenced by tik tok and China
............. Europe England also big influences look ate the first page of your passport....
LankyDean. Hi hope ya well.
That’s a very speculative comment that people like change.
You don’t live here, we are basically another state of the USA.
You’ve only got to take a look at our whole society, tourists often remark that on arrival to Oz, their first impression, looks a lot like America, it does.
It doesn’t bother me, it’s just a fact.
I deplore unnecessary altering of landscapes for frivolous outcomes, that’s all, my opinion.
We’ve altered so much of what I love, natural biota. It’s rapidly diminishing before our very eyes.
Look how altered, degraded and contrived the Hawaiin landscape is these days, I’m sure there are folks in your good lands who share my sentiment. All the best. AW
It is way better than the US - the place shocked me as to how run down the infrastructure and building stock is, it has ground in dirt and is literally falling apart - and don't get me started on those freeway cities like Fresno - excuse me I have to visit the loo. We do have it very good here in comparison and we aren't anything like the USA despite sharing a language.
Feel very similar Big Al, for what its worth. I was just pointing out the globalisation angle,
you can't change others though Alfred......
I give this zero chance of getting built - SA just does not have the population.
When the Tula Tub opened it was new and novel and booked out. The Syd Tub opens later this month and there are still plenty of spots a available for the big opening day. Stark contrast to Tula 4 years ago.
Have we hit peak pool in Australia already? Maybe. QLD could support one but I reckon thats about it. Tula is going to really feel it this winter. SA no chance and WA only slightly better.
Perths pool will do great, plenty of surfers, the most inconsistent coast (flat all summer) and a heap of cashed up fifo surfers, they would have done really well had the pool be next to the airport.
I agree when I first surfed Tulla pool max crowds every session. Just surfed there Easter sat in the evening barrel mode only 3 out middle of public holiday weeeknd. The SA pool looks Waco style so maybe cheaper to run and the pool Lagos. Could be used for other things. Kayaks, goat boats, swimming, towing donuts etc
Urbansurf is currently promoting its surf, safety & sip sessions for women ......
https://urbnsurf.com/sydney/2024/03/21/sydney-vlog-series-part-5-emily-p...
Emily is considering the potential Sydney mullticultural market. ....?
Its new and needs customers from put west quickly so makes sense. They are not going to win surfers that live by the beach. I rarely ever cross the bridge said a mate recently - what the harbour bridge ? Na mate, the Narra bridge.
I’ve got a few connections to the area and seen it grow exponentially over the last 20 years.
2 new high schools, multiple cafes, couple of swanky restaurants…McLaren Vale and Aldinga are never quiet anymore.
It’s about the least environmental impact you could get for a wave pool. Lands cheap and empty, doesn’t need to be cleared of trees.Nothing really within a kilometre in all directions and obviously there’s plenty of water down there already used on the vineyards.
What I don’t really understand from a business model perspective is whether it’s better to be near the population or near where the surfers live. Probably could make a viable argument for either.
I guess their market will be either the local surfers particularly the kids or the middle aged guy who can combine surfing with a wine tour of the McLaren Vale. There’s plenty of both of those
Chuck it in Salisbury/Elizabeth... get them to stop knifing each other
haha. I was thinking the same harry
Aldinga ain't immune from that problem mate hahaha
100 million? dream on, the cost will blow out to 200 million and only the rich corporates will be able to afford to use it. I hope these clueless clowns lose the shirts off their backs. There are already local groups with petitions and I've even heard a few crew talking about sabotage. It's about 100m from what I believe is a very sensitive sacred Aboriginal fertility ground, they used to go there to give birth. There is a reason there are no theme parks in S.A. not enough punters to sustain it year round. I hope it goes the same way as the bridge to K.I.
Old dog it might be a bit like Prevelly Park in Margaret’s when they proposed developing it: lots of people protesting it and chained to trees etc. Once it was a fate accompli those same protesters were lining up to buy blocks of land, after all it is pretty prime real estate
Hahaha classic hippy capitalists move.
Considering we're 0 from 3 on the Sunshine Coast (good, fark orf), believe it when it opens.
They set the Melbourne one up so that it’s offshore on a northerly, which is offshore for the whole vicco coast, which is also the least consistent wind direction down here, they should have pointed it facing south so it’s offshore throughout summer and half the time it’s south west during winter. I wonder if they’ll fuck it the same way they did down here
The wind doesn’t make that much difference at the Tula tub. Unless it’s absolutely gale force. Trees are growing, building provide some protection.
I hear the tubs better with a light onshore than a stiff offshore.
It's so gutless probably blows it flat.
100% (surf it weekly) and any form of onshore is better as easier to get your turns around as no wind holding your board up. Only exception is Barrells, when offshore opens them up a touch.
How many in SA can afford $100+ for a 1h surf long term?
Not enough thats for sure.
A solo trip down the south coast from metro Adelaide is probably a 50 or 60 buck exercise once you chuck in a mandatory yet hyper-inflated pie, donut and coffee. And that fickle beast can offer up a decent swell, offshores, and still nowhere great to surf...explain that. An extra 40 bucks, a corned beef sanga and a thermos from home with the guarantee of a reasonable surf, and the ledger starts bending toward being balanced....
Are Balfours and Farmers Union still the staple of Sth Oz road trips?
Miss my Farmers Union Iced Coffees over here, although probably saving some coin!
Love em both, but these days a couple of pies, a custard tart and a vanilla slice plus a large iced coffee sets you back about 30 bucks. may as well get a snitty at the pub.
My record was 11 Farmers Union large iced coffees in one 40 degree day at Yorkes, they were meant to last all week. Chucked my guts up that night. Tip, the ones at Aldi are just as good for about a third of the price. Stock up.
Hahaha, wow!!
hahaha old dog ya mad dog!!
Fleurieu iced coffee the go now...locally owned and much tastier imo. Seems all the pies are gourmet made in house now haven't had a balfours in years
Its been over 25 years but i can still smell and taste the Middleton bakery savoury sausage rolls and the Port Elliot bakery donuts as if it was yesterday.
Would be keen to try a Fleurieu iced coffee. Cheers for the hot tip!
Hahaha yes those savoury rolls are the best - they still have em. You'll never go back once you've had a Fleurieu iced coffee - only 3 ingredients coffee, sugar, milk compared to a huge list of ingredients for Farmers Union and owned by a local company rather than some chinese conglomerate (or is it japanese now i can't keep track!)
I'd bet everything I own and have the capacity to borrow that 'first waves' will be end of 2026 at the earliest. No way it's getting built in less than 18 months and they haven't even got the money to build it yet.
Regarding the pool design and wind direction. Going from the concept image being published (which I guess they may change over time), there appears to be a left breaking wave that runs towards the North and a right breaking wave that runs towards the South. The mid coast has waves that predominantly come in from the West South West, West or North West (on a windy stormy). The mid coast basically picks up whatever swell gets over the top of Kangaroo Island, so it needs west in it either way... but wind swells can bring in the balance of waves. The natural offsore wind direction for the coast is an Easterly or slight SE or NE wind. So going off these factors and the shape of the block of land they are looking to develop, I think (and I could be wrong here) the surfing advisors are aware the predominant winds are Southerly for the Mid coast. So generally speaking it appears they may be favouring the right handed wave that is pointing towards the South. So when it blows southerly, the right hander pointing south will be 'offshore' and the left handers, riding the left wave that points north, will have an 'onshore' experience.
**Sticks neck out and awaits for developers to completely re-orientate the pool design and make me look like a total tool for posting this** (Free 1 year membership for the pool and Swellnet Pro if I am correct though)?! -------> @Ben Matson, do we have a bet on my theory?
Get back in the ocean huey
Your outa line here budy.........
In a small body of water like a wave pool wind direction doesn't play a big part unless it's a howling gale. There are also trees and buildings around it to deflect the wind, so I doubt it will get more than ripples on the surface. On the open beaches, have a look how far offshore the waves build into a nasty chop when the wind is offshore, must be at least 200+ metres.
How inconsistent is the Fleurieu P ?
Are we talking Perth inconsistent or Sunny Coast?
Mid coast where the proposed pool is gets waves rarely but has some great set ups. Power is the issue because it's in a gulf. The South coast has stacks of swell but lacks decent set ups and is plagued by constant onshore winds in summer. It's all about winter time down there.
From a biz POV, I'm very skeptical on the choice of location. Just like an airline, wave pools have gotta run at high occupancy to remain financially viable. Whilst weekends and holidays will likely be well populated, I suspect it'll be hard to maintain traffic through the mid-week sessions.
probably wont be able to turn the lights on mid week.... seems flawed doesn't it?
I live just down the road. It would be very quiet in winter but would probably get a bit of use in summer. In winter, when the mid has waves, there's usually only a few of us on it which shows that most people don't do the drive in winter (lack of sunlight before and after work, too cold). The main business case would be in the accommodation because it's a very popular area now and there isn't much holiday accommodation around. In terms of surfers using it, there's no way the local surfing population (victor and mid) would sustain it. A wave pool in Adelaide needs to pitch to the surfers that live in Adelaide but struggle to get down to the beach as much as they want so they'd use the pool to fill the holes in between sessions. That is a way bigger market and one closer to the main SA population would work a lot better in my view. I will use it if it gets built, but on balance, would prefer if it wasn't.
Might have to pay the SIL a visit lives at Port Noarlunga.
I wonder if the pool was in a more central location would they get the funds needed to build it? Personally I would think there are more surfers living "down the hill" in Adelaide then they are that actually live near the proposed site so that would then make the location questionable imo....
I haven’t surfed the mid since the 70s, but I’d hazard a guess that most of the locals ride mals.
This does need to be at West Beach for the air port tourists would create the money turn over ! Local caravan pk. already there and more schools would use this for short trip sports and water safety ! Please build one now in Adelaide at West Beach
The West Beach proposal looked way more viable location IMHO but I'm not privy to the cost analysis. Land prices have gone through the roof in the last 2 yrs so I'm guessing that played a big part but the pool could have existed there without the big accommodation outlay.
What people love about this little area is the fact that it is so untouched by human development, the caravan park is completely hidden behind bushes, the only houses are on 10 acre blocks out of view. Just paddocks, red ochre cliffs, white sand and crystal clear turquoise ocean and a couple of cherished little reef breaks that can only handle a small crowd. They will need to double the size of the carpark which is already full when the surf is over 2 foot. They will need armed guards 24/7 during construction. Build it somewhere that is already fucked up .
I think that industrial/airport location is an incredible strength for Tullamarine- it makes it almost a no-brainer for anyone in Melbourne for any reason whatsoever to duck into the Tub for a session.
I don't know what the mix is- but I reckon that walk-through/incidental trade would be massive.
Sydney will be different , they will be relying on local trade.
Not sure at all how the SA pool would be utilised.
I personally couldn't imagine ever heading down there to surf it, nor anyone I know.
Contrast with Melbourne, every single person I know has used it- simply because of the convenience of it being located next to the airport.
You're adding on a 100-200 to an already existing mission.
A stand alone trip to SA would be thousands and there's no real incidental reason to be in Adelaide in the same way there is for Melbourne.
Whether that airport advantage becomes moot once more get built, we'll see.
Agree being next to the airport a big draw card for the tulla tub - if you came from another city to surf this pool you would have to hire a car to get there - its about 40mins from the airport. IMO they are building it there for a few reasons - land is relatively cheap (compared to West beach or anywhere near the airport) and its close to both mid coast and south coast surfers. I think it will get used first up - lot of crew i know would give it a crack once at least esp during summer when the mid's flat and south coast onshore but after that and during winter when the south coast is nearly always on i think it might end up like Wirrina
Portuguese Wellness Surf Retreats only charge $500/day or 3 Urbnsurf sessions (Bargain)
Picturesque remote Break would be on par...but has the Kook patron remotely imprisoned for 1/wk
Guessin'...Give me a break starts from $3,500 wk (Please don't quote, but that's standard price)
Be able to toy with their vulnerable state of mind...upgrades $1,000 for 1hr Beach Clean Detox.
Feel that you can contribute to the commune...clear the leaves from the pool upon reflection = $500
Sign up to sniff sensory flower power trail of dramatic windswept Seascape = $500
What price on healing a fragile state of Mind depends on the Wad of their Wallets.
Here! Take it all...just get me certifiably shacked...'Be our pleasure Sir!'
Company's paying for it...
'Ya should've said...Would Sir like a $500 KASEBERGA handplane snack for Afternoon Tea!'
I'm not in any way financially involved in the thing but I think you undersell it Freeride.
Melbourne works for a variety of reasons at the moment but it will be interesting to see if Sydney based surfers continue to use it.
I think it's an untested concept to build a stand alone resort but what it has going for it is the adjacent wine region.
Not sure if you or your wife enjoy wine Freeride but plenty of middle aged surfers do.
If so, why not head there, do some wine tasting a get a day at the pool while your at it?
Personally I think it is better than the Barossa, shits all over the Hunter and Yarra Valley and is probably on a par with Margaret River, although the wine per se in McLaren Vale is probably just ahead.
Plus there are surfers there and their kids and the majority of Adelaide surfers are on the south side of the city.
I have genuinely believed all the pools are not financially viable yet they've surprised me.
At least I can see the rationale in the choice of location for this one.
You could be right mate- no I'm not a wine tourist, so that thinking is foreign to me.
Yep, absolutely no reason for anyone to come to S.A. seen one grape vine seen em all. Crappy surf, cold water, sharks everywhere, serial killers, mal riders etc. etc.
Agree SA is rubbish not even worth driving past if you are going round Australia just drive through SA quick smart with the windows up
Crew are so funny...all know how this ends...
News: "More Gromz scooped outta The Giant Shiraz Barrel on the National Wine Trail."
Expert Pro / Break Promo { "More therapeutic than a Snowtown Barrel!" }
Crew : C'mon! Now they're just talkin' shit..."Take my Money!"
If that’s your opinion you havnt looked very far!
:-)) Doesn't matter what you say, you won't discourage the tourists old-dog. You just have to get used to them.
It's already been said further up the thread, but the simple lack of regular foot traffic numbers make it hard to see this sustainable long term, and certainly nothing I'd be throwing a single penny at as an investor.
You speak of winery visitors that may want a surf as well,... but whilst there'd be some other crew visiting, and a few locals etc, for a pool to survive it needs a strong number of regular crew that hit it weekly or at least fortnightly. Melbourne's population vs Adelaide, plus the location of Tulla, means it's been able to sustain itself financially - on that point, I have no idea just how well Tulla is going by the way... it could just be getting by. If that were the case, this one would fall on it's ass and hard. A pool can't be sustained on tourist numbers, especially considering Melb & Syd crew wouldn't be travelling to surf this thing with their own pool.
Urbnsurf at Tulla has regular members, but even so, I went a couple times over the last month, and have seen very empty lineups in a few sessions, and that was April. Numbers will only get lower over the next 4 months.
...
Agree Urbnsurf Melbourne get serious cold in winter like 7 degree water. I have never experienced anything like it even with snow on the beach never that cold in the ocean. It’s going to get slow through winter. Also I noticed some of facilities getting run down and heaps of seagulls that they can’t get rid of
"but I reckon that walk-through/incidental trade would be massive"
For what its worth, a few weeks ago myself and a friend tried to snaffle a quick session in at the tulla tub while on layover flying from from Adelaide (where, ironically, we were on the Fleurieu Peninsula for a wedding) back to the Goldy.
With time so tight I tried to bed down as many of the particulars beforehand so it would be as seamless as possible, but in my dealings with urbnsurf staff I got the distinct impression what I was trying to do was quite the rarity. I honestly thought folk would be trying that all that time.
In other news I 100% agree OOL <-> ADL is a painfully difficult route. Hence why I tried to redeem it with a wee surf while on layover
Did you manage to pull it off?
She did, but I did not (we were booked into different sessions).
Jetstar were an hour late getting off the tarmac in Adelaide so I missed my 4pm session, but to urbnsurf's credit they gave me a credit which I thought was very decent.
For those considering it, our flight landed about 4:30pm and my friend managed to uber it there, rent a board and wettie and still make her 5pm session (can't muck around though).
We had to be slippery at the end of the sesh too, drying off and ubering back for our 6:50pm flight but made it comfortably in the end.
VERY big smiles (for her). She had an absolute ball. Big Jetstar angst for me haha
Not one for the anxious traveler (another mate of mine passed it up and stayed at the terminal the whole time), but quite doable if you don't mind a little excitement rolling the dice.
yeah, thats tight.
Had plenty of mates with more generous schedules pull it off.
But you are right, I really have no clue what percentage that walk through/incidental trade might be.
Ok! This sounds most unusual as All Oz Wave Pools have 1-3 Year long paddle battles to the death.
Then usually the Wave Pool never gets built unless in some {Enterprise Air/Rail/Sports Precinct}
Just how the hell did these Blowins pluck their Wave Pool Badge outta thin air! Huh!
Gonna do it...needs a timeline to unlock their trade secret!
March 2021 : SA State Govt stripped rights to Development Notification / Submissions / Objections
The Break = Rubber Suited Funny Farm for VIP Kook Rehab! (re: Thor...best rehab session ever!)
Ok! So now ya all know why it's called the Break!
16 Jan 2024 : (Onkaparinga Council) Aldinga Wave Pool 'Wellness Studio' Proposal
Wavepool + 45 Accom units / Shop / Studio proposed for (Long Standing Tourism Development Zone.
Proposal "Does Not" trigger (Public Notification) due to to the uses proposed being "Exempt from Notification" as per March 2021 State Legislation. As such, there is "No option available to neighbours to formally submit concerns or comments on the proposal s part of the development application process!
Read more & Planning Laws here...
https://www.onkaparingacity.com/Council/Media/proposed-aldinga-tourism-d...
18/19 Jan 2024 Wave Pool Mag's
https://glamadelaide.com.au/epic-multi-million-dollar-wave-pool-resort-p...
https://wavepoolmag.com/wave-pool-radar-picks-up-projects-in-south-austr...
19 Jan 2024 Locals demand a say about 5 Code breaches...
Visual Amenity or Machine / Zero Heritage / Non local Built Form / No agricultural link / Non Scenic
Oddly...none complain about the Drug Rehab Centre or Massive Chemical storage Warehouse!
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/62d0d2d4c056045a7f053a3e/t/65adf7...
March : Mag / 9 News (Still states 45 1/2 Bed units) + Interviews 3 Beachgoers in favour of Project.
(re:) Independent Council Assessment Panel >
tbb thinks this is where the 45 units becomes 35 units > but why keep that from the locals? Huh tbb!
Missing 10 units are Likely for the Rehab Clinic (Wot! Think that sounds mental...check the website!)
Shielding out 100% Natural Sensation with Multi Layers of Toxic Goop is rebranded VIP $urf Therapy!
Crew already know that & feel more alive than mental tbb!
https://glamadelaide.com.au/further-plans-revealed-for-epic-multi-millio...
https://www.facebook.com/9NewsAdelaide/videos/wave-pool-plans-for-alding...
3 May 2024 Fantastic 4 Alien Invasion Nuke the Aldinga Line Up...'Locals won't be a problem!'
https://wp.indaily.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-1200x800-2024...
Rubber suited rehab clinic was rubber stamped well before any dreamt it up...(Said paddle faster!)
3 March : 9 News (Now 35 units) Interviews Local Clubbie Nick Stock + 3 Beachgoers in favour
https://www.9news.com.au/videos/national/wave-pool-to-be-created-in-adel...
The Break Surf/Stay (Website)
Water is to be renewably sourced and reused by managed aquifer recharge + Green Power! (Trippy!)
Lists : 300 Rental Boards = [Hazardous Chemical Plant operating in a Tourist Resort] Locals got no say?
How the fuck is camping on a dreamy Toxic Timebomb now classed as Rehab? (Yes! Says Rehab!)
Sure sounds like a place us mental folk would wanna hang out...need a Break & another & another...hooked!
Sadly tbb is not mental enough to give it a bash...'get that freeloader outta here!'
Hot Tip ...maybe try the underground First Nation Cave to run yer Meth Lab...{Kaboom} Too bad so sad!
https://thebreak.com.au/
The Qldurr Shock Factor?
Qld has approved 3 Endless Surf Wave Pools ( Sanad : Is up for Sale...that leaves 2)
Qld has never endorsed 2032 Olympic Surfing bid nor ever offered an Olympic Surfing Venue!
In fact Sunny Kite Surfing Venue is Locked in + New Giant Whitewater Pool for Kayaks!
SLSA have launched an official Olympic Event Bid...
We locals have never heard of 2032 Qld Surfing Bid apart from IOC Sally's nod way back pre bid!
Repeat...(No Surfing for 2032 Olympics) + No idea where or who keeps stoking this!
Ok! Keep that in mind...we're running with this...Kook Theory...
SA claim they're gonna be first with Endless Surf Pool.
WA claim They're the official 2032 Olympic Surfing Training Pool.
Now for both of those claims to be true means...
All 3 Sunny/Goldie Endless Wave Pools are purely Real Estate Speculation & never intended to be built.
Coz if that's the case...then please share where these fellow wave pool developers got inside news...
Not concerned if they get built or not but to ignore reality & suppose they're not...that's pretty mental!
Someone, anyone!
Please share where these Mushies are growing & how to score an Aldinga pod in their Psych Ward!
Recapping : The Break Brewery stocks the "Dedicated health & wellness Re Hab treatment Rooms!"
Outta town outta sight outta mind Compound for WSL Elites recovering from 3 man heat Surf Rage!
Read under ... Wellness and Hospitality
https://thebreak.com.au/
I wouldn't be at all surprised if it goes ahead but they scrap the surf lake due to cost and opt for a second hand flowrider. Keep the wellness center, day spa, and restaurants and double the number of luxury units and extend their height to take in the sea views. Throw in a wine and craft beer tasting centre and voila, a hipsters paradise for the rich and famous. Interesting to know who these so called "surfers collective" are who are willing to put the almighty dollar ahead of the pristine environment. Pave paradise put up a parking lot.
Perhaps what we need is a monorail connecting the airport with the wave pool.
I hear those thongs are awfully loud....
It glides as softly as a cloud...
This will be handy, SIL lives 5 mins away, I can hang out there all day when forced to visit her lol
It will never get built. Unless the SA gov fund it, no one else will.
Coonawarra: "McLaren Vale might get a Tub.. how can we tap into the surfing market?"
Marketing: "mm, if you could get Bugs, people having a wine with Bugs might work, surfers quite like Bugs.."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-06/edible-insects-and-wine-paired-cr...
Endless Surf Munich Wave Pool is Full > Wave Testing in secret...
May 2023 : Opens this Month for Pre Surfs...keep a eye out over next week or two!
https://www.swellnet.com/comment/904859
Interesting to see the wave quality. That's one thing this thread hasn't really covered in the discussion of it it'll be viable or not. It's not the urbnsurf tech being used, so fascinated to see the quality of this wave. If anything makes or breaks this idea, that would be key component number 1!
Spot on! if it produces significantly better waves than tulla tub model it'll be well used, by me at least. So that's one person per week. Not sure that's enough to sustain it economically but. As for the location, it's fine from an environmental and landscape perspective, the subject land is already degraded / cropped, and the facility itself won't be particularly visible or obstruct important coastal viewscapes, of which there are many in the region (it's a beautiful part of the world). Also fwiw, someone earlier mentioned close to a fertility ground.. that's actually further north by several ks at Moana (unless there is another Im not aware of). Cheers.
[ Factcheck ] Just so we're on the same page with marrying Wave Pool Tech...
swellnet exclusive Puddle of Muddle Huddle.
(Crew's Hot Tip) Endless Surf 34 Chambers Munich is identical to The Break
As tbb said..."Can keep an eye out for Munich Wave Pool to best reflect this SA Break!"
How best to intro this Pool...
Fair Comparative Code > Wave Garden 40 modules = Endless Surf 34 Chambers = AWM 24 Chambers
Simply sharing Wave Pool Codes < > ride time menu for crew to compare!
No Surf Park will ramp municipal waves over 2.1m unless Crews are ready for helmets...All say Aye!
Very few wanna wear helmets, so ...No High Risk falls from above 2.1m without safety gear! Got it!
Exactly : No Beast / Airs during Office Hours...these are High Risk Stunts...not for general audience.
Exclusive to swellnet (Chamber / Mods > Ride Time)
Chambers ~ AWM > Ride Time
16 New Jersey > 6secs
24 **Waco / **Japan > 10secs
Chambers ~ Endless Surf > Ride Time
ES 24 (?) > 12secs (Approx)
ES 34 Munich / Break SA > 18secs
ES 42 Sunny Farm > 21secs
ES 48 Wisemans (n/a) > 25secs
ES 56 Gold Coast (Shows Wade Zone) > 30secs (Approx!)
ES 60 Coachella Valley > 32secs
Modules ~ Wavegarden > Ride Time
28 **Test > 10secs
40 *UK > 12secs
46 *Swiss > 14secs
46 **Vic (Bays) > 14secs
52 Syd (Bays) > 16secs (Not @ max level!) Urbnsurf : Syd is in unique position > Olympic Training!
52 *Brazil x(2) (Bays/Reefs) > 28secs
56 **Perth (Bay/No Reef?) > 26secs (Images show this wave fades fast > Wade Zone?)
56 *S Korea (Bay/Reef) > 30sec
**Olympic Training / *WSL QS / *National Clubs-Gromz Wave Pool
Note : (Perth / Goldie voted most likely to include VIP waders!)
Relatively easy pocket rocket list irons out any bugs
Crew gets a lot of bang for yer bucks there...Happy to Share!
As fellow crew promised...
Here's a first look at ES 34 (The SA Break Line-up).
That looks magic. Please make it happen
Similar to a 1-2ft day at a few reefs on the Mid...
That'd be day of days!
Whover is 'investing' $100M in Aldinga has rocks in their head. The govt can't even extend a train line to that part of the world and are only now beginning to widen South Road.
$100M would have to be the most expensive caravan park in Australia.
Good waves to surfers are like heroin to a junkie, imagine knowing that 5 min. away there are perfect glassy peelers every day. Do I put food on the table for the kids or satisfy my selfish cravings. Even more pressure on the household budget for those that can least afford it. I can see a few marriage break downs in the unlikely event this ever gets built.
It would be great for the Hemsworths, Fishers and influencer types to jet in and stay a few days to relieve the boredom but anyone who regularly surfs the free break nearby absolutely hates the idea. It will attract cashed up clueless hipsters like flies to a carcass and this quiet little backwater will never be the same again.
Build it by all means, just not there, Adelaide only has about 4 km. of surfable coastline within about 100 kms. and they want to put it on the only bit of it left that has escaped the greedy developers.
Now I know how the FNP felt when Cook rocked up. Fuck off.
Just saw it on the news, they made it sound like a done deal, will be ready to surf by 2026. They had a local business owner saying what a great idea, rubbing his hands together at the prospect of 300,000 extra customers a year. They showed a 'local' mum saying "sounds cool, it will give the kids something to do." I wonder if she will still be saying that when her 3 kids are begging to go there every weekend and she finds out the cost of a day there for her family.
Like a 2 year old, 'professional surfer' Kale Brock must be wetting himself at the thought of an exclusive comparison piece straight to YouTube...
https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=810495460965915
maybe it's a beach shack for peregrine corporate getaways and the shahin kids to party at.
Some pretty smart characters in this group. I know they would have done every feasibility study and requirement to make sure the project is viable.
The area has a longstanding and rich surf culture that will thrive on a consistent wave/s, considering the area is far from consistent.
Not to mention the tourists who frequent the area due to the coastal attractions and wine region within the immediate location. Who wouldn't travel for some amazing Vinos and a surf lesson.
Cant wait for the project to get up and running. Cheering for the Team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wave quality is one thing- the other factor that has become far more pertinent to me is cost.
Just found out the barrel wave at Sydney is $160/hr.
Advanced turns is $130/hr.
That means to take my son down there and have 2 hrs in tub is $580 just for the surfing.
Add food, accom,board hire, airfares etc etc and we're probably up around a thousand dollars (maybe over) for 2 hrs of 2-3ft surf.
That's just a huge financial nope from me.
For half that I can have an overnighter in Angas etc etc.
The Palm Springs Pool in California is $200/hr. USD!
I expect this one to be priced in a similar range.
Far from democratising surfing as promised this is only making it incredibly elitist.
Surely these multi-cultural families in Western Sydney won't be throwing down hundreds of dollars a week?
Feels a bit weird as a lifelong surfer to have these things priced out of reach- even as a curiosity now.
But not surprising- the most expensive things in Aus are water and power and wave pool are hungry on each.
They will only get more expensive as these things increase in cost and investors seek a return on capital.
Exactly what we were looking at for Sydney Tub for the June long weekend, same 2 sessions $580 for me and my daughter.
Even with free accommodation with family, Plus like you said food, hire helmets lol, parking they only give you 2 hours free, entry for non surfers $10. Would be driving from Central Coast and back on the day. Could be near a $1000 day all up including fuel down and back..
Hard to justify.
Pricing is based on the amount customers are willing to pay not costs + margin. Pools make sense where there are rich landlocked surfers like Waco or Munich (Eisbach contingent)
So how much will the average punter be willing to spend per year to satisfy their cravings. 10k-20k? It will feel weird knowing the ocean is flat but there are perfect waves breaking just around the corner every day, but you can't afford to ride them.
Don't go there hungry, a gourmet pie will prob be about $13.50.
They won't have to crank it up to advanced level too often, its mainly old loggers and total kooks in S.A.
$100m? Good luck raising that capital for such a small project. What's the payback on this? I reckon investors would be aiming for a 3-4 year (max) payback period. Can this place generate $25-$30m+ of annual revenue? Might even need more with 60 full-time staff. That's a big overhead.
A light industrial theme park in a pristine, rural/open space coastal area. GIVE ME A BREAK. Developer changed original access point so public notification was avoided. This means only the developer talks to Council Planning and the Council Assessment Panel, (CAP), who approved the development. No outside comments, issues of concerns allowed. The relevant CAP meeting appalling. 8 “experts” from the developer joined the panel for questions and comment. Others only allowed at the meeting as observers. Where is the Aussie tradition of a fair go for the little guy?
Dont sweat CL, it wont happen , numbers dont add up, its all click bait.
An authentic barefoot luxury experience. I wonder if these clowns realize this aint the GC, for half the year it is freezing, windy and rainy down here in the A-hole of Aust. More like an ugg boot and puffer jacket experience. Once the novelty wears off and the cost of a surf gets out the wellness studios, spas and retail shops etc. will be like a morgue all winter. Tell em they're dreaming.
Two for one deal...
Looks like SA is a curtain raiser for Endless Surf 4 peat
Endless Surf SA double up with Melbourne Approval.
March 2019 Pellicano's 'Zagame Wavepool' Dingley Village proposal...got in principle support.
Name changed during lockdown Era...to Surf'n'Play 38,200 m2 (L.I.S.H) Shh!
Kingston Council reduced building footprint + 25% landscape +2x Solar = 5,500 m2 Roof space.
Pellicano sorted Roads & Water over last 18 months...We're Back!
https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/news/a-massive-surf-and-water-park-is-...
Endless Surf'n'Play Wave Pools 4 Surf Zones with 6x 6ft waves/min (2 years open date)
Endless Surf Vic Mothercraft birthing a SA Calf to claim Family Allowance...but wait...there's more!
[factcheck] Goldie + now Sunny switched to Endless Surf > Double Build to cut costs
Also just checked Flowstate signed up with Endless Surf Goldie...it's game on!
Vicco Chiko Chick hooks Endless Dole Surfer on Goldie spawning drug dependant offspring Farm 42+Break 34
Like what doped out irresponsible Endless Surfer Couple would name their Hippie kidz Farm & Break!
Taxpayers gotta pick up the tab from this outta control VIP wavepool orgy crisis!
Looks like Endless Surf are hitting up a SEQ Double < > SA/Vic Double = 4 pools in 2 years
Bang / Bang + Bang / Bang = (Quaddie a Piece) Big 4 (vs) Big 4
Sunny Wave Pool war brewed into a full blown Oz wide Wavepool War.
You get a wavepool, you get a wave pool...Everybody gets a wavepool...
Note all dotted evenly over Oz...Howzat!
NT Booger [L] Pool (vs) Endless Surf Qld x2 / SA / Vic (vs) Wavegarden Vic / NSW / WA / NZ
Let the Oz Wavepool War begin!
Albo is headin' off the looming Wavepool Shack Crisis
Mandatory Ai Flow State Surf Therapy 4 the Dole.
Aukus : "World has Set off too many Bombs we need to make More Bomb Sets!"
Everybody Hang Loose!
Anyone here regularly using the Sydney tub?
How is value for money stacking up?
Just been the once, I don't even really think of returning even though it's less than an hours drive, however I know a lot of people that are going multiple times. They did so even during the dead of winter when the water dropped down to 13 or so.
I vote stick in the Patawalonga so they can sniff the kerosene fumes from the airport and dodge the bacteria swimming it's way to the sea from the SW suburbs :-).