Surf Lakes Gold Coast have some news. The Gold Coast-based artificial wave park creator is edging closer to bringing its “5 Waves” surf technology to the Gold Coast. This is after signing an agreement with a group who have land suitable for the development of a Surf Lakes facility. The site location is still confidential, but the good news is that this project is going in the right direction. A team of town planners, architects and specialist consultants are currently being engaged to make the build happen.
The Perfect Wave
There’s no arguing that we have the best beaches in the world at the Gold Coast. However, some days the surf can be flat or just too wild. So the idea behind this surfing theme park is to have guaranteed perfect waves, every day.
Said co-founder and director, Reuben Buchanan, “After an exhaustive search, we are positive that this is the right site and location, plus the site owner shares our enthusiasm of bringing this project to life. Our vision is to build a world-class facility for recreation surfing and training that suits all surf craft – not just short boards.”
Surf Lakes Gold Coast = An experimental prototype facility in Yeppoon has shown great promise
Surf Lakes Gold Coast – Features
Ambassador for the company Mark “Occy” Occhilupo is equally enthusiastic. “The Gold Coast is screaming out for a something like this,” said the 1999 world champion. “Surf Lakes is ideal because it has perfect waves for every level of surfer. It will be huge for the thousands of surfers who live here, as well as visitors who will be able to surf perfect waves without relying on the ocean.”
When built, the facility will feature:
-Eight separate breaks – four left breaking and four right breaking
-Five levels of waves at the same time: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert and Pro
-Wave-face heights from 0.5 metres for beginners, to over 2.4 metres for expert surfers
-Guaranteed offshore conditions at all times, regardless of wind direction
-Five second hollow barrels at the premier break (both left and right)
-A heavy slab for expert surfers and bodyboarders
-Ride lengths ranging from six seconds for the slab style wave, up to 14 seconds for the two-point break style waves
-Throughput capacity of up to 160 surfers per hour (including learners)
-The ability to cater for the “after work hours crew” via night surfing
-Capacity to host major events for all surf craft plus events for broader action water sports.
Mark Occhilupo tries out the never-ending perfect wave.
The Perfect Location
With an estimated 2.5 million recreational surfers, Australia has amongst the highest ratio of surfers in the world per capita. Surf Lakes Gold Coast is aiming to attract more surfers from within Australia, which will help to boost local tourism and jobs. It will also deliver a range of economic and community benefits such as high-performance surf training programs, school surfing programs, adaptive surfing opportunities, indigenous focused surf programs and more.
Surf Lakes hopes to start construction in early 2021. It is expected the project will be completed and open to the public within nine to 12 months after first soil is turned. ■
In the meantime, there are other adventures to investigate on the Coast. See below!
Editor for Silver Magazine Gold Coast
