Surf Lakes: four artificial surf breaks available in Queensland's Yeppoon

It's on. Surf Lakes, the world's fourth surf pool concept, is already pumping its first waves in Queensland, Australia.

After long months of preparation and uncertainty, the full-scale prototype designed by Aaron Trevis and his team delivered the first surfable waves.

Mark Occhilupo and his son Jay were the first to test the artificial wave pool. A few days later, Occhilupo and Barton Lynch took their families to the coastal town of Yeppoon for the soft launch.

The pre-inauguration day saw Joel Parkinson, Laura Enever, Felicity Palmateer, Korbin Hutchinson, and Mitch Crews giving the new toy a go.

The wave pool company named their technology "5 Waves." It uses a central wave machine to create multiple waves of varying difficulty, length, and size to happen simultaneously around a specially designed lake.

Surf Lakes: the wave pool is capable of producing up to 2,400 perfect surfing waves | Photo: Surf Lakes

At full commercial capacity, it is capable of producing up to 2,400 perfect surfing waves each hour. Nearly all types of boards are accepted: shortboards, longboards, SUPs, kneeboards, and even surf skis.

Surf Lakes' plan is to license their "5 Wave" technology around the world, as well as construct, commission, and provide various services to each facility.

"5 Waves" can work as a standalone surf park or be incorporated into larger entertainment precincts, such as integrated resorts or theme parks.

"Aaron Trevis started it 15 years ago by actually throwing a rock into the water and watching the ripples disperse. It's incredible what he's done," notes Occhilupo, ambassador and minority shareholder of Surf Lakes.

A Metal Donut That Makes Waves

Unlike its predecessors, Wavegarden, Kelly Slater Surf Ranch, and BSR Surf Resort, Surf Lakes uses a huge 1400-ton plunger - the equivalent to three Boeing 747s - to produce four types of waves.

In theory, it's a simple concept - a metal donut is compressed against the water and forms a ring of water that travels perfectly until it hits several concrete banks, creating different surfing waves.

Mark Occhilupo: he is a minority shareholder of Surf Lakes | Photo: Surf Lakes

Visitors can choose between "The Beach Break" (a gently rolling wave for beginner surfers), "Occy's" (a high-performance wave inspired by Duranbah, Occhilupo's favorite surf spot), "The Point" (a fast and demanding wave), and "The Wedge" (an advanced, hollow wave designed for bodyboarders).

The surf pool system will pump sets of between three and six waves, with a six-second interval, allowing eight surfers to take off simultaneously on the four right and left-hand waves, plus two beginner rollers.

According to the surf pool firm, the system allows for up to 200 surfers and learners each hour. It's the largest surf lagoon on the planet, with its 80 megaliters of water volume.

Surf Lakes, a Gold Coast-based company, hopes to produce a perfect eight-foot barreling wave soon. When that happens, it will become the biggest man-made wave ever created.

The developers claim that their technology has the lowest energy cost per wave compared to other wave pool concepts.

Surf Lakes estimates that each wave will cost $2.50 to produce - $0.30 in energy and another $2.20 for the water filtration system and staff wages.

Each hour at the Australian Mad Max-style wave pool will cost around $50, allowing a surfer to ride approximately ten waves.

Discover the best wave pool systems in the world.

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