The Surf Lakes testing may have been short-lived but the proof of concept was more than achieved. Now to scale up and beef up the technology and deliver to the market. From the sounds of the press release below folks are stoked on the whole dealio. Maybe the London one can have a replica of St Paul’s Cathedral dome over the central wave generator? 😉
–PRESS RELEASE–
Gold Coast, Qld, Australia: Following the success of full-scale prototype testing of the 5 Waves Surf Lake in Queensland in November 2018, licensee enquiries have been flooding in from around the globe en-masse.
Over 200 parties have actively been seeking information about how to purchase a Surf Lakes license and at least six parties are positioning to begin construction in 2019 with a view to opening commercial surf parks using 5 Waves technology in 2020.
The leading six projects are as follows:
In the US, one site in California and one in Arizona have been marked out and early stage design is underway for each. There is also one site in Western Australia as well as in London, Spain and Brazil. Licensees for all 6 sites intend to commence construction in 2019, with completion in 2020.
“The interest has been growing since the world saw those first waves in early November,” said CEO and Founder Aaron Trevis. “We are very excited about the prospect of sharing the thrill of surfing with a whole new audience, in some prime locations and amazing partners around the globe.
“Our plan for 2019 was always to commence construction of at least two commercial spec 5 Wave Surf Lakes,” Trevis continued. “But with the inbound interest from such quality licensees, we now believe that three or even four could commence construction next year, and be open to the public within 24 months.”
5 Wave Surf Lake is capable of producing up to 2400 wave per hour, offering five levels of waves, catering for skill levels from beginner to pro simultaneously. With this strong commercial proposition in mind, the potential licensees have been exploring different business models to cater to varying markets.
One particular site is intending to cater for the high net worth market by adding a 5 Waves Surf Lake within their existing private gated-community. They already have a world-class golf course, clubhouse and other resort-style amenities, so adding surfing to their offering will be really exciting.
By contrast, other sites are focussed on delivering high volume commercial facilities open to the public, with the aim of enticing children and adult non-surfers via learning to surf programs.
In one of the locations mentioned, the potential licensee owns a large lake. The intention is to retrofit it, and transform it into a real surf “lake”!
“As was proven in the test facility complex, we can create waves of all shapes and sizes to adapt to the client’s intended market,” said Trevis. “This is determined by the vertical movement of the wave making device and the shape of the reefs below the waterline. That is the beauty of this system.”
With a premium Palisander wood finish, compact pintail and an extended wheelbase and mellow flex, the Arbor Fish Solstice Longboard is ideal for around town cruising and lower speed carving.
Materials and Components:
DECK
L: 37.00″ | W: 8.375″ | WB: 26.00”
7 Ply Hardrock Maple with a Premium Palisander Wood Finish Ply
Wood material comes from sustainable sources of supply
Wood by-product is reclaimed for use in other products
TRUCKS
Paris Reverse 50° 150mm
WHEELS
Arbor Easyrider Series – Mosh
Perfect mix between quick acceleration and roll speed
Nazaré lived up to the hype today with a class day of action from the big wave elite. All eyes are now on Sunday’s biggest, cleanest ever swell… Eeeeek.
Two-time Big Wave Tour Champion Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker (ZAF) won the World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Tour (BWT) Nazaré Challenge today in the incredible 25-to-40-foot surf at the infamous Portuguese big-wave venue of Praia do Norte, Nazaré.
The event launched early this morning in glassy conditions with 25-foot-plus wave-faces around the high tide mark and as the tide dropped conditions got heavier and heavier to culminate with large surf in the 35-to-40-foot range, with occasional larger sets. Mike Parsons, Big Wave Tour commissioner has granted this event a Silver coefficient, meaning results in Nazaré will carry a 10% increase in points (e.g. 11,000 points for the winner).
A relatively discrete surfer in the opening round and the Semifinal, advancing in third place in both heats, the South African from Durban peaked at the exact right time to pull off some of the most incredible drops and rides seen all day in Nazaré during the Final. The tall and powerful regular foot went both to his forehand and backhand in the Final to score an incredible 8.67 and 7.70 on his way to a first victory in Portugal.
“I don’t believe it, this is insane,” Baker stated. “These kids were going so hard today and I can’t believe I’ve still got that in me. That 8.67 was the wave I’d been waiting for, it came right to me and I ended up being super late, it was a crazy big section. What a day, just perfect, perfect Nazaré, it’s a dream. Lucas (Chianca) was the man to beat and Natxo (Gonzalez) got that crazy barrel in the semis, somehow I got lucky and I got out on top!”
The 2013 and 2016 Big Wave Tour Champion, Baker has time and time again proven to be a threat in all conditions when the waves hit maximum heights. Today he came out on top of one of the best days of big wave professional surfing ever seen.
The Final got underway quickly with good rides from most surfers, but undoubtedly Lucas Chianca (BRA), the defending event champion in Nazaré, got the better of the early exchanges. The young Brasilian posted a 7.17 and 6.23 to take a strong lead early on and continued to play with the massive lefts he’d been dominating since early this morning. His ability to drop late into the steep walls impressed as he navigated some of the best waves of the day.
Baker answered with good lefts at first, going back up into the wall to score turns on the shoulders for his first two scores. He then switched to the rights, to pull two huge drops into shorter rides to continue to build momentum.
Natxo Gonzalez (EUK) places third
Natxo Gonzalez (EUK) waited 30 minutes to start on his first wave, but his patience paid off as he launched into one of the most critical rides of the Final to post an 8.17 and position himself in second position. João De Macedo (PRT), Russell Bierke (AUS) and Alex Botelho (PRT) had a slower start to their heat and kept chasing waves.
Gonzalez moved into the lead with a second left quickly after, but Baker replied with a huge wave on his backhand, threading the face in a perfect line to post an excellent 8.67 and move ahead of the Basque surfer, relegating Chianca to third. The Brasilian found an excellent wave of his own to move into second with an 8.07.
The last three surfers started getting better waves in the 6s and 7s to stay in fighting distance of the lead while Baker, Chianca and Gonzalez continued to surf their own heat. But as time ran out, the situation remained unchanged and Grant ‘Twiggy’ Baker walked away with the win, closely followed by Chianca and Gonzalez. Botelho claimed fourth place, De Macedo fourth and Bierke fifth in his first-ever Big Wave Tour event.
Lucas Chianca (BRA) placed 1st in Heat 1 of Round 1 of Nazaré Challenge 2018
In his second year on the Big Wave Tour, Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca (BRA) dominated his first two heats to qualify for the Final, and score the second-best single score of the day, a near-perfect 9.60 for a backhand barrel in Semifinal 1. Unfortunately, the Brasilian couldn’t quite find the same opportunities for massive scores in the Final heat and placed runner-up behind Baker.
“I’m super stoked but I didn’t fully accomplish what I came here to do,” Chianca said. “It was a perfect day and everyone was stoked to see these waves break. It’s a great way to start the season and I’m incredibly excited about the rest of the season. Twiggy is such a legend and a real idol I’ve looked up to when I was younger so to compete with these guys now I’m stoked.”
Third place finisher Natxo Gonzalez (EUK) had previously ridden the wave of his life in Semifinal 2, locking in a deep barrel with a high line on an impressive lefthander that came up abruptly next to the cliffs. The Basque surfer is building himself a solid profile on the big wave scene and will be one to watch as he takes on his first full season on the tour.
“After getting that 10 my day was pretty much over, I didn’t really care about anything else to be honest,” Gonzalez said. “I got one of the best waves of my life, in front of thousands of people including my friends and family so things don’t get much better than that.”
Russel Bierke (AUS) finishes sixth
Competition reached a climactic high in the Semifinals as waves started opening up, giving surfers a rare opportunity to get barreled at Nazaré when the waves are that big. Portuguese surfer João De Macedo was the first to capitalize with an impressive 9.20, Chianca followed with a 9.60 and Gonzalez pulled off the impossible with his perfect 10 point ride in the following heat.
Last year’s Big Wave Tour Champion Billy Kemper (HAW) bowed out in Semifinal 1 alongside compatriots Nathan Florence (HAW) and Ian Walsh (HAW).
Tom Lowe (GBR) placed 4th in Heat 2 of Round 1 of Nazaré Challenge 2018
2018/2019 Nazaré Challenge Final Results:
1 – Grant Baker (ZAF) 25.04
2 – Lucas Chianca (BRA) 23.31
3 – Natxo Gonzalez (EUK) 22.71
4 – Alex Botelho (PRT) 22.06
5 – Joao De Macedo (PRT) 20.87
6 – Russell Bierke (AUS) 18.89
Nathan Florence (HAW) placed 3rd in Heat 1 of Round 1 of Nazaré Challenge 2018
2018/2019 Nazaré Challenge Semifinal Results:
SF 1: Lucas Chianca (BRA) 25.63, João De Macedo (PRT) 25.40, Russell Bierke (AUS) 21.47, Nathan Florence (HAW) 20.76, Billy Kemper (HAW) 18.23, Ian Walsh (HAW) 18.00
SF 2: Alex Botelho (PRT) 26.33, Natxo Gonzalez (EUK) 26.03, Grant Baker (ZAF) 21.60, Kai Lenny (HAW) 20.33, Nick Lamb (USA) 14.00, Jamie Mitchell (AUS) 2.50
2018/2019 Nazaré Challenge Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Lucas Chianca (BRA) 22.31, Billy Kemper (HAW) 17.23, Nathan Florence (HAW) 16.91, Francisco Porcella (ITA) 14.63, Greg Long (USA) 13.77, Antonia Silva (PRT) 8.36
Heat 2: Ian Walsh (HAW) 24.34, Russell Bierke (AUS) 14.86, João De Macedo (PRT) 13.84, Tom Lowe (GBR) 12.16, Rodrigo Koxa (BRA) 9.36, Will Skudin (USA) 3.80
Heat 3: Jamie Mitchell (AUS) 19.57, Kai Lenny (HAW) 16.83, Natxo Gonzalez (EUK) 16.26, Jojo Roper (USA) 14.71, Pedro Calado (BRA) 14.20, Andrew Cotton (GBR) 13.73
Heat 4: Alex Botelho (PRT) 20.37, Nic Lamb (USA) 19.43, Grant Baker (ZAF) 18.13, Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 15.33, João Guedes (PRT) 10.16, Nic von Rupp (PRT) 9.70
Podium
The 2018/2019 Big Wave Tour hosts three events: the Nazaré Challenge, the Jaws Challenge, and the Mavericks Challenge. All holding periods for this season are now open and will await the biggest waves until the season’s close on March 31, 2019. For the Jaws Challenge and Mavericks Challenge, the world’s best male and female big wave surfers will await conditions that will produce waves in the 30-to-60-foot range. Once the decision is made to run the event, a “Green Alert” is issued and competitors will have 48 hours’ notice to be ready to compete.
The WSL Big Wave Tour is proudly supported by Surfline, and Corona, with a special thanks to Nazaré Challenge partners Jogos Santa Casa, Visit Portugal, Portuguese Waves, The City of Nazaré, MEO, Hertz, and Praia do Norte.
Ian Walsh ( HAW) placed 1st in Heat 2 of Round 1 of Nazaré Challenge 2018
The World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Tour (BWT) has issued a Green Alert for the Nazaré Challenge in Nazaré, Portugal to run on Friday, November 16, 2018. The large WNW swell headed toward the region continues to look favorable and the big wave competitors will now make preparations for the event start.
“We’ve officially issued a Green Alert to run the Nazaré Challenge on Friday, November 16,” said Mike Parsons, WSL Big Wave Tour Commissioner. “The conditions we’ve been closely tracking still look favorable for Friday. We hope to see epic waves for the surfers to paddle into in the 25-35-foot face range. The swell and the winds are expected to all come together and be very clean to kick off the Big Wave Tour season.”
Praia do Norte (North Beach) in Nazaré, Portugal is a big wave break notorious for its powerful waves and dangerous speeds. The world-famous venue that will host Friday’s competition has produced the biggest waves in the world, including the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS titles for the men’s and women’s largest waves ever surfed.
The third edition of the Nazaré Challenge will see the world’s best battle the infamous break that has long been considered inaccessible to paddle-in-surfing. The men’s field will consist of fearless chargers, such as defending event winner Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca (BRA), reigning Big Wave Tour Champion Billy Kemper (HAW), and renowned waterman Kai Lenny (HAW).
“I’ve been doing some big wave training and feeling out some new boards,” said Lenny. “With Nazaré looming, you have to be ready and feel comfortable on big boards. Nazaré is usually too big and we are waiting for a swell that is not 100 feet so we can paddle it. If I catch a really big wave, I might as well do some really big turns. Nazaré is not really the most ideal place for turns. It is more survival. Just survive. Just trying to prepare myself mentally. If you go to Nazaré, you will probably get smoked no matter what, so you have to be prepared.”
Jamie Mitchell (AUS), 2016/2017 Nazaré Challenge winner, has been recovering from a shoulder injury to be ready to compete on this season’s BWT. The Australian feels ready to tackle the giant waves and push the boundaries with the goal to claim a second event win.
“Nazaré is a crazy wave; you don’t ride it, it rides you,” said Mitchell. “Nazaré is a relatively new wave and the boundaries keep getting pushed here. The biggest wave ever surfed has been at Nazaré and the whole community is right behind the big wave community, so it’s a special place for sure. I’m coming off a shoulder surgery this summer and have worked hard to be ready for the Big Wave Tour, so it would be special to do well again here. I am jumping on a plane, heading over there now and am excited that we are on.”
Rodrigo Koxa (BRA), the new record holder for the biggest wave ever surfed, which measured 80 feet (23.77 meters) at Nazaré, will compete in his first ever Big Wave Tour event. All eyes will be on the accomplished surfer to see if he can achieve similar record-breaking feats without towing in on a jet ski and instead only paddling in with arm-strength.
The WSL Nazaré Challenge will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the WSL’s Facebook page. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
Surfline, forecast partner of the WSL, is calling for:
A developing storm near Greenland is expected to produce a strong WNW swell for Friday. Confidence is medium to high for a swell to provide good surf throughout the day. We expect to see wave face size in the 20-30’ range through the day on Friday, with the very largest sets of the morning up to 35’.
While this isn’t a giant swell, especially by Nazare standards, local wind and conditions look about as good as it gets on Friday: light+ offshore ESE wind through the morning, trending more SE (still offshore) for the early afternoon hours, generally below 10 knots. Furthermore, the two previous days (Wednesday-Thursday) are also expected to see light offshore wind and small swell, which should mean conditions are extra clean on Friday.
2018/2019 Nazaré Challenge Round 1 Matchups:
Heat 1: Billy Kemper (HAW), Lucas Chianca (BRA), Greg Long (USA), Nathan Florence (HAW), Francisco Porcella (ITA), Antonia Silva (PRT)
Heat 2: Ian Walsh (HAW), Tom Lowe (GBR), Will Skudin (USA), Russell Bierke (AUS), João De Macedo (PRT), Rodrigo Koxa (BRA)
Heat 3: Kai Lenny (HAW), Jamie Mitchell (AUS), Natxo Gonzalez (EUK), Jojo Roper (USA), Pedro Calado (BRA), Andrew Cotton (GBR)
Heat 4: Makuakai Rothman (HAW), Alex Botelho (PRT), Grant Baker (ZAF), Nic Lamb (USA), Nic von Rupp (PRT), João Guedes (PRT)
The 2018/2019 Big Wave Tour hosts three events: the Nazaré Challenge, the Jaws Challenge, and the Mavericks Challenge. All holding periods for this season are now open and will await the biggest waves until the season’s close on March 31, 2019. For the Jaws Challenge and Mavericks Challenge, the world’s best male and female big wave surfers will prepare for conditions that will produce waves in the 30-to-60-foot range. Once the decision is made to run the event, a “Green Alert” is issued and competitors will have 48 hours’ notice to be ready to compete.
The WSL Big Wave Tour is proudly supported by Surfline, and Corona, with a special thanks to Nazaré Challenge partners Jogos Santa Casa, Visit Portugal, Portuguese Waves, The City of Nazaré, MEO, Hertz, and Praia do Norte.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Lucas Chianca (BRA) celebrating his win over Billy Kemper (HAW), Natxo Gonzalez (EUK), Kai Lenny (HAW), Grant Baker (ZAF) and Nathan Florence (HAW) during the 2018 Nazaré Challenge at Nazaré, Leiria, Portugal.
1 Year anniversary swell and the waves are huge and clean again at Nazare. It’s been a long year of rehab for Andrew Cotton “Its good to be fit to crash again,” He says as he takes on the first giant swell of the season. Behind the scenes footage, thoughts and reactions and an insight into the thought processes, training and preparation to be ready and amped for the new big wave season.
