Each tank a thirty-mill build, twenty of that going to the monstrous plunger…
At precisely six pm tonight, Sydney time, nine am in London and a brutish four am in New York, the company that wants to take plunger-powered waves to the world held what it called an “investment information webinar”.
Over the course of a 45-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute Q and A, investors learned “about the status of our prototype testing, business model for growth, anticipated commercial locations and the profit potential for investors.”
What’s the news?
Four Heads of Agreements have been signed (although these are non-binding), 13 Requests for Proposals have been completed and a number of interested parties (wisely) are waiting on the final testing before committing.
Surf Lakes says they’ve had enquires from over 300 entities across 47 countries. Potential investors have included owners of theme parks, ski resorts golf courses and property developers.
Surf Lakes management says it’s not unreasonable to expect a wavepool in most biggish towns in the next five-to-ten years. They say 20 are already planned worldwide.
The company says we need to start thinking of wavepools as sports stadiums or cycling tracks. Surfing has a broad enough community engagement so why shouldn’t it attract money from state and local government authorities to pay for the infrastructure?
What’s it cost for a plunger tank, in Australian dollars?
Thirty mill, with twenty of that going to the wave-generating equipment.
By comparison, an American Wave Machines setup (Waco) will cost $10 million, Wavegarden Cove $28 million and KS Wave Co $30 million.
From a productivity perspective, and presuming no breakdowns, Surf Lakes’ 5-Waves technology produces 2,400 waves in the same time that Wavegarden spits 1,000, American Wave Machines 300 and KS Wave Co 20.
Productivity-will-make-you-the-money is the mantra at Surf Lakes.
Surf Lakes estimates it costs 30 cents a wave in energy and another $2.20-ish in wages, filtration etc. They suggest operators charge $50 an hour for 10 waves or five bucks a wave.
It ain’t a bad margin.
Bear in mind these waves are going to be 15 seconds long, max.
Which is significantly less than Slater’s pond but almost twice as long as Waco.
And, now the bad news.
None of us are gonna surf Yeppoon. Well, not for a very long time. Even the shareholders are struggling to get their share at the moment.
For now, its all about potential licensee sales.
(*Editor’s note: an earlier version of this story announced twenty plunger-powered pools worldwide. It was twenty wavepools across all technologies. Surf Lakes are planning six plungers over the next three years.)
Niemeyer wanted his works to be surprising, unexpected and above all beautiful. Sounds like these 3 words ,surprising ,unexpected and beautiful could also describe the best of Modern Brazilian Surfing ?
120 days of Sodom on Surf Lakes …. Drinks will be served in the Marquee / Marquis de Sade before the event ….
Depravity, absolute depravity
I read the book and watched the Pasolini film Salo based loosely on the story set in Fascist Italy . Afterwards , saw a documentary concerning the film and when they asked how the actors felt , being naked playing the role of tortured victims , they replied the most difficult thing was trying not to laugh and the filming often had to be cut as the cast was laughing hysterically .
Thanks. What a story. Nice to know she was a nice lady. Its amazing the old 6 degrees of separation.
My third wife ! That sounds like a story worth shedding some more light on.
yes , she [Lena Heady] is virtually an unknown actress and would require some intensive private talent casting. Im sure she would jump at the chance after having buckets of excrement tipped on her naked body as she did the walk of shame through Kings Landing. Google that to see if a similar scene could be incorporated into your excellent draft.
You got me. I have apologised previously for my poor behaviour in my earlier life. I can not do this all the time.
I like it, maybe we could crowdfund or ask Owen to kick in, he seems to have money to burn.
I especially like the ‘shame’ scene, could we incorporate a nude Cersei to make an appearance?
Come on fighting is so 2018 these days unless you are from Lennox.
I’ve seen movies with worse plots.
I’m thinkin Liam hems worth for the lead and Nick Carroll for the gang leader
Might be a role for a young Peter Drouyn in there as well
Chas could easily play a gender confused character what with his fondness for pink.
You may have missed your calling in life.
“The company says we need to start thinking of wavepools as sports stadiums or cycling tracks. Surfing has a broad enough community engagement so why shouldn’t it attract money from state and local government authorities to pay for the infrastructure?”
uh-oh.
Thats the way the government funding merry-go-round works these days. A nice economic evaluation is normally the last hurdle. Although its not perfect, its better than the old days when they just gave cash out to their mates instead. And at least they are making an effort to be more transparent. You just have to play the rules that have been made.
yeah, I’m calling bullshit on the whole premise though, not the nuts and bolts.
yes, bullshit… if the concept can’t support itself, it will die.
not in Australia Hippy if they can get their fingers on the taxpayers purse
You know what LT? At least your govt isn’t obsessed with subsidizing Big Business and perpetual, profitable wars/developing weapons of mass destruction and “policing” those who purchase them.
A little pool graft is A Ok this side of the pond.
yeah, I never looked at it like that. True.
It’s sobering bro…. I just got a letter from my health insurance provider. You ever see that movie “Falling Down” Steve? I’m about to turn my car engine off in the middle of the gridlocked freeway and go walk about.
I know im late to the party here but is every commenter here a journalist? Not a criticism, i think i am in the wrong forum, but not bitter and twisted enough for Stab.
No. I’m just here for the hunky surf journalists. Have you seen any?
With a name like John Wayne i was hoping for a 6 shooter.
Definitely not a journalist. Just enjoy a bit of current affairs.
yeah, me too, i was just wondering how you get an invite to the writing gig on BG,
When is party pete, astro and wiggs getting a berth?
If you want to write something I am sure Derek would be happy to read it. Send him an email.
Do they pay in cash?
I did not request anything or was offered anything. I just thought it would be a nice compliment to some of the other wave pond stories they have been running. Also I know Chas loves wave pools!
He “liked the idea but was unsure of the execution” of my Beach Grit Grit concept and I had to resort to posting it as commenting commoner. But I’m not bitter and resentful about it or anything.
Mate the only thing I ever wrote was scrawled in the sand and washed away by the next tide . Mate if you have been competing for 50 years you probably know more about surfing and the characters that have defined it than anybody else here ?
I must admit i am in awe of the level of talent on here, [writing talent] i better clarify. I havent read a book since Willard Price was popular, Finnegan doesnt count, i didnt understand most of it. Every time i log in theres a hippy, duke or who ever getting a guest editorial.
I havent googled James Bickerton yet but i surfed in a few pro ams in the early years and the name is vaguely familar, although i could be confused with James Woods, slightly more contemporary! or is Bickerton a non de plume? [goofies rule]
No it’s my name .I was that technically challenged when I started that I didn’t know how to change the name … no fool like an old fool . I surfed a lot of pro ams in the 80s before moving to France in the 90s after a nasty work accident put me out of the water for 18 months ….
Im in West oz and the circus came to town a few times in the 80’s, I was stupid enough to blow my entry fee a few times, i still have video of the crew ripping at my local. Surfed a lot with Dave Mac when he was having a break from tour. No where near that level though!
Funny about your log in, i nearly fell for the same trick!
His Daughter’s Backside Surfing is a pleasure to watch . Wife is back from doing night shift , got to go , and hope to see you round these parts .
A year or so ago i caught up with dad and daughter on their local beach, leftys. Bronte is humble , warm and engaging and when i saw her shredding some head high rights i could see similarities with Owen Wright in her surfing.
Hence the 24-7 leather gimp sax-metal band on the plunger.
Feedback and wailing away on a leather metal gimp sax can cover any other intrusive noise.
Just ask the Lost Boys.
Do you mean Janet Reno or the brain eating ameoba?
So essentially some punter is gonna be balls deep in a Giant Plunger?
Surely you’d be worried about breakdowns for a piece of machinery like that. Not exactly like ducking down to Jap Parts when the Camry’s muffler is playing up.
I’d still like to get right up inside Yeppoon and have a good look.
Looks fun as hell, when does it open? It’s like all these pools are in some sort of progress/delay except Waco keeps pumping it out even with deaths.
I’m sooooo keen to surf Waco I would be there in a heart beat if it was in Oz
Same.
haha. they already have you hooked. I think that’s where the rub comes in– once you surf these abominations– your gonna loose some of your stoke and awe of the ocean. I’ve got a fun wave just a few blocks away and the real ocean-I’m content and stoked……
I grew up not living on the beach (still only 10 mins drive but around here that’s practically a westy) so my childhood was full of dreams of artificial waves in my backyard, in the street out the front etc which I still have today even tho I live overlooking the surf, so I’ve been hooked for life.
I don’t think they any have plans to open the beast at Yeppon anytime soon
U might have to buy it dinner first
Don Bex de la Vidina …
Nice write up JW…. I don’t care what all these fucks say, I would love to surf those little perfect waves.
And I like to surf backside too… do not care. Bisurferal.
James Bicko is strictly frontside… very fundamental man that Bicko. Left left left left and save him some coin!!
My question about the surf lakes photos is, why are the two riders so far on the shoulder?
Thanks Hippy. I am not sure about that. What I should have mentioned though was that they are thinking about using AI technology to help manage people in the surf…….they did not give a lot of info on the operational side of things (clearly they are still learning / thinking about this aspect) but there was mention of surfers been given wrist bands with a chip in it. And this would ensure that VALS (not a term they used by the way) would not be venturing out into the more powerful waves.
Every time I hear the term AI technology, I hear the evil music from the future play. For every good usage, I can think of dozens of compromises, potential or immediate.
You need not worry about AI technology, it will likely kill itself with massive quantities of drugs.
LOL
Good luck JW with the venture .
I have no vested interest in this – but did share some thoughts a while back to another investor.
Was just hoping you might make some coin from it . Though I don’t have a pecuniary bone in my body , I am really happy to see other people succeed .
You want to know the worse thing Hippy …. I actually surf better backside ….
Sandon point muscle memory? I loved that place, maybe I got it good, but it was good. Really good.
So Bicko, you want inexpensive lefts to iron out the kinks?
Oh that point is a bit too far south for me , and is well protected as it should be . I used to enjoy Cronulla Point though .
Yep long running 2fts , Lefts or Rights are the perfect way to get the rhythm and fitness back , especially if one is alone , or it it is really uncrowned , after a few months off , before tackling better quality surf .
There is also that tasty wizard not far north. Did you used to sample that one or just pull the pins out?
Those reefs are heavy and were harder to get to than they are now .
Same with me. A can produce a half-decent backhand hook but my frontside turns are an affront to humanity.
Jordy’s P , I am pretty sure you are understating your ability . The wisest words of advice I have heard uttered on how to surf is , LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO , your head , then neck ,then body , then board will follow ….
The French love to analyze and break apart everything , so I learnt that backside surfing is instinctive , while frontside is more technical . Remember , a front side top turn is just a backside bottom turn done at the top of the wave in the other direction …?
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What if I want a 1.35m face?
Or 2.1m?
CONSUMERS DEMAND CHOICE DAMMIT!
THAT’S IT!!! FUCK’EM!!!
THEY CAN’T BULLDOZE ME WITH THEIR GODDAM 3 WAVES HEIGHTS OR NOTHING BULLSHIT!!!
I’M TAKING MY NON-EXISTENT CAPABILITY TO INVEST AND FUCKING LEAVING.
Wait… I know a capitalist???!!!
You might do, but it ain’t me.
Much to my bank balance’s chagrin.
Shades of Brazilian Genius , Oscar Niemeyer ….. ? The architect not Neymar Jnr the Footballer …..
Assuming there are less Goofies than Naturals , can someone explain to me , in the free market wave economy we are now entering if ;
a) Lefts should be cheaper than Rights as there is less demand ?
b) If A VAL Goofy goes only straight will he / she / it be counted as a real Goofy in the equation and push up the price of the Lefts ?
c) If the Lefts are cheaper , can non Goofies ( right handed traitors ) be allowed to cash in on the discount lefts ?
“zoolander”. can’t turn right.
If I am shelling out 50 bucks for an hour the last thing I want is fucken jet ski arse clowning around the plunger.
I’m more worried about running over the bald photog impersonating Uncle Fester on the end section ( the lake shorey ) of the left …..
that’s an artist impression kelly in 5 years.
Good News . I could never run over Uncle Fester .
they should at least paint the jetski matte black and mount some guns it.
Border Patrol , the musical ….?
VAL patrol. a musical. get Bazz Lurman on it.
West Side Story but with Tarantino type violence …
I like it
And as the screen credit rolls to an end ……
No Grumpy Locals were harmed during the making of this movie …….
Sadly there was some Collateral Damage when The Complete Cast of 1000 VALs were sacrificed during a Classic Surfing BBQ which turned into an improvised re-enactment of Cook goes to Hawaii after one of the VALs could not see the funny side of being taped to a pole naked after dropping in on a Grumpy Local Extra …… ?
Investing in pools is our very own digital currency. Come get burned! Or boom. Perhaps lets make a syndicate of hedged bets, wouldn’t it at least be hilarious and worth that admission fee alone? Beachgrit Investments™
I’d rather throw a thousand smackers at a tiny share in that pool than at another dog of a board.
Whom among us is a stockbroker and would set up such a fund?
What about the Wave Pool Merchandising ?
YEP POOL YEP POON
or
YEP POON TANG ……?
probably why I never got a job in the Surf Industry ? Only a surfer knows the feeling ……of being rejected.
Rusty poon steam ventures?
I like it . Rusty Price and Order … You can Scripps this ? Gives it a San Diego Feeling …
Stop by and take a Peak@.
“come and get plunged in Yeppoon.” bumper stickers.
“the rusty bell end” lakeside bar and bistro
For 50 bucks an hour I’d want to see more than plunging necklines …
Currently you need to be a sophisticated investor to buy in. Minimum purchase is $50k. I am sure there will be one or two funds setting up for smaller scale investors at some stage will advise if I find out more. By the sound of it they are hoping this will be the last fund raising they do. Next time it might be a IPO in which case you would be able to purchase. Have a look at Link Market Services to see if there are any options there.
“sophisticated investor“
These terms crack me up. Such wank.
Besides, the day I have 50k to throw around is the day I shove two sharks on my feet like roller skates, and start fruit-booting round the line up.
Yes it does sound like “wank” but its designed to protect innocent types from getting ripped off. Its the regulated world we live in.
Yup fair enough. If someone has 50k they can casually throw at a whimsical wavepool investment, then I would suggest that they actually have too much money.
Balzac et al.
I’m in for one thousand Australian.
high roller
I know, I cannot really afford to do that but I need the laughs.
Whats interesting is to compare the share price offering in the latest Information Memorandum to the one I looked at in 2017. The share price has doubled since then.