A new design for a state-of-the-art wave pool and surfing training resort in central Queensland has been revealed.

The company behind the proposal Surf Lakes, confirmed it plans to build a resort, wellness centre with a coaching hub and skate ramp, alongside an improved wave machine offering surfers artificial waves up to 2.6 metres high.

A man with shoulder length brown hair and a moustache smiles. He is wearing a white button up shirt

Surfing Queensland’s Keanu Chapman.(Supplied: Surfing Queensland)

Founder Aaron Trevis described it as a “playground of ocean-like waves” which would break simultaneously around the lake near Yeppoon, ensuring all surfers get chance to catch a wave.

Surfing Queensland spokesperson Keanu Chapman said the facility would mean elite surfers could be coached on home soil. 

Many travel to Kelly Slater’s California Surf Ranch to access wave pool technology and train.

“If we can get that sort of innovation here in Queensland, then that breeds innovation all across Australia to produce similar wave pools,” Mr Chapman said.

“This is huge for the sport of surfing as well as the production of wave pools.”

an aerial shot of Kelly Slater's wave pool amongst California farmland

Kelly Slater Wave Co’s Surf Ranch in California is 130 kilometres from the coast.(Supplied: Kelly Slater Wave Co)

Mr Chapman said while there were two other artificial wave facilities in Australia, one in Sydney and the other in Melbourne, the technology used for Surf Lakes was more powerful and better at mimicking ocean waves.

He said, in the United States, surfers like teenager Jackson Dorian who grow up surfing wave pools had “outlandish” skills as the pools provided a better training environment.

The Hawaiian is the son of surfer Shane Dorian and the godson of Slater.

A boy riding a wave with his surfboard

US surfer Jackson Dorian.(Supplied: World Surf League Tony Heff)

Mr Chapman said through wave pools, surfers’ techniques could be refined in a controlled environment.

“It takes away the chaotic nature that the ocean sometimes has,” Mr Chapman said.

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Surf Lakes said the site had been granted development approval and discussions were in place with capital partners to fund the project.

Developers of other surf parks say the wave machines are energy intensive and expensive to run. 

But the Surf Lakes proposal also includes a renewable energy facility to minimise power costs. 

An aerial of a large lake with a plug in the middle creating 360 degree waves around it

The facility uses a plunger to create 360 degree waves. A render of the future design.(Supplied: Surf Lakes)

From Hemsworths to future Olympians

Mr Chapman said he hoped the facility would be available ahead of the Brisbane Olympics so future athletes could use the site to train.

He said the site would also entice people to the sport who have never ridden a wave before.

“Being able to develop a wave pool where people can hone their abilities and explore in a controlled environment where they feel safe, they can be coached on proper technique and etiquette, that makes the margin to get into surfing a lot easier than being thrown into the ocean,” he said.

Six people with surfboards and wetsuits look at over a lake with waves and a massive metal structure in the centre.

Pro-surfers and young up-and-comers at the Surf Lakes wave pool in 2021.(Supplied: Surf Lakes)

Capricornia’s peak tourism body Capricorn Enterprise said it hoped Surf Lakes is able to build the facility as soon as possible.

Chief executive Mary Carroll said it would open a new market of tourists, Australian and international, to central Queensland.

“While Surf Lakes has been a demo site, it’s hosted a number of celebrities and there is so much interest from our southern markets and international markets,” she said.

A woman surfing a wave at sunset time

A wave produced from Surf Lakes’ machine.(Supplied: Surf Lakes)

Among the rich and famous who have caught a wave at the demo site is Chris Hemsworth, who has visited several times with his young children, Ms Carroll said.

“There’s an incredibly large global audience that would descend on this region just for this product,” Ms Carroll said.

“The technology is one of a kind on the globe and it will mean when it’s constructed. It will be able to host 200 surfers at five skill levels.

“I’ve seen it in action many times and it’s quite mind blowing to watch.”

Posted 2h ago2 hours agoSat 25 May 2024 at 1:19am, updated 1h ago1 hours agoSat 25 May 2024 at 1:41am

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