How the Surf Lakes Wave Pool Works With Five Wave Types
Have you ever dreamed of riding the waves without going to the ocean? The Surf Lakes wave pool in Australia makes this dream come true! It’s not just an artificial lake with water, but a real engineering masterpiece that creates five different types of waves at once. Let’s figure out how this cool technology works and why surfers all over the world love it so much.
At the center of the Surf Lakes wave pool is a huge metal piston weighing 1,400 tons. Imagine three Boeing 747s stacked together — that’s how massive it is! This “iron donut” is the main feature of the system. When it is lowered into the water and then suddenly lifted up, a ring of energy forms around it. This ring spreads across the lake like ripples from a thrown stone, and turns into waves when it reaches special artificial banks.
The piston is controlled by a powerful engine and a computer. One "breath" of it — and several waves of different shapes and sizes are born in the lake at once. This is how Surf Lakes creates its famous five types of waves, which we will talk about below.
It all starts with a piston hitting the water. The energy spreads out in concentric circles, and then the cleverly designed shape of the bottom and shoreline comes into play. The lake is designed so that the waves "break" in the right places, creating different riding conditions. In some places they are soft and smooth, and in others they are sharp and steep, like in a real ocean.
At full power, Surf Lakes produces up to 2,400 waves per hour. This means surfers can surf almost non-stop, choosing the wave that best suits their tastes and skill level. The system also allows up to eight people to ride at once – four on each of the right and left waves, plus a couple of beginners on the softer sections.
Now comes the fun part – what kind of waves does Surf Lakes create? They are called “5 Waves”, and each one is unique. Here’s what awaits you:
Each wave is created by precise calculation: the angle of the bottom, the height of the piston, the speed of its movement. It's like a cocktail, where everything is perfectly mixed for different tastes. It took the company 7 years to develop the "5 Waves" technology; the prototype was built in Queensland, Australia.
Firstly, such a wave pool is not just an attraction, but a full-fledged surfing area. Here you can ride any boards: shortboards, longboards, bodyboards and even SUPs. Secondly, it works all year round, unlike the capricious ocean. And finally, the creators of Surf Lakes plan to build such pools all over the world, licensing their technology. Soon, perhaps, a piece of Australia with waves will appear near you!
The technology is still evolving. For example, engineers are experimenting with piston settings to make the waves even more varied. And the first prototype in Queensland has already shown that the idea works like a charm — the first lucky ones, including Mark Occhilupo, tried it out back in 2018.
Surf Lakes is not just a pool, but a step towards making surfing accessible to everyone. No need to wait for a storm or fly to the other end of the world. Just come to such a complex, grab a board and catch your wave. And it’s a great way to train if you’re getting ready for the ocean.
So next time you hear about wave pools, think of Surf Lakes and its giant piston. It’s a place where technology and nature merge to give us a lot of fun – literally and figuratively.
Would you like to try riding the waves of Surf Lakes? Which of the five waves would you choose to start with? Share in the comments!