"Economically, this nearly triples revenue generation from the surf lagoon alone while benefiting other surrounding business units."

The highly anticipated wave pool war, foretold by our ancestors, seems to be over before it truly began. But lo, rewind your memory to 2010. It was the year the iPad was introduced, WikiLeaks published its first Chelsea Manning drips, a JetBlue employee dramatically quit by sliding down the plane’s escape slide and Wavegarden unveiled its surf tub, Mick Fanning, Gabriel Medina, “making folklore by surfing the artificial knee-high waves.”

Fast forward five years and “greatest athlete ever” Kelly Slater revealed his very own technology up Lemoore, California way. It was an absolute arms’ race, new and different tanks featuring new and different wave generating mechanisms popping up in Austin, Texas, Waco, Texas and Yeppoon, Australia.

There were plows, gas chambers, mechanical trains and rusty plungers but which of them would conquer all?

Which would become the de facto “Wave Pool.”

Well, a decade on, the original seems to have so thoroughly smashed its opponents that “Wavegarden” is now shorthand for surf tub.

Amusement Today reveals, in a stunning new report, that, “Wavegarden is currently the company with the most operational surf parks worldwide. To date, it has nine facilities across four continents that have attracted over 2 million visitors and generated more than 35 million waves. Additionally, 10 projects are currently under construction, set to open between 2025 and 2026, with another 50 projects in development.”

Furthermore, “With an internal rate of return (IRR) over 20%, each facility has proven profitable. This success has inspired several clients to open additional facilities and consolidate their growth.”

And, “Wavegarden Cove is the most efficient and sustainable wave generator on the market, consuming only 0.3 to 1.0 kWh per wave, depending on its size and power – 10 times less than equivalent pneumatic systems. This energy efficiency can save between $2 million and $3 million USD annually. Furthermore, thanks to its low energy consumption, it is the only surf lagoon technology capable of being fully powered by solar energy produced on-site.”

Plus, “With a capacity of over 90 surfers simultaneously in the lagoon, our surfer capacity to lagoon size ratio is up to 4 times more than other surfing lagoons. Economically, this nearly triples revenue generation from the surf lagoon alone while benefiting other surrounding business units such as hospitality, accommodation, surf schools, and retail shops.”

In a word, or four, peace in our time.

Do you have thoughts on Wavegarden’s dominance or are you too worried about Tyler Wright’s wellbeing to care?

More as the story develops.

"We’re sick of these situations, and embarrassing for WSL."

The World Surf League’s Championship Tour machinery is either near, or in, the United Arab Emirates as the Abu Dhabi Pro is but hours away. Kaipo Guerrero taking in the sights. Joe Turpel taking in the sounds. The social media manager doing whatever he, or she, can to stave of an Italian nationalist uprising that could threaten the very foundations of top-tier professional surfing.

At issue is the exciting Lexus Pipe Pro finals that wrapped but hours ago. It was a thrilling affair, the North Shore’s Barron Mamiya coming up against Italy’s Leonardo Fioravanti, on the men’s side. Both had surfed very fine over the course of the event and both surfed very fine in the last frame, trading pipelines etc. Fioravanti was down, as time melted away, but snagged a Backdoor stunner that appeared good enough for him to take the lead. The judging came in wonky, Fioravanti lost and his countrymen dug deep to find a country-first passion that had gone relatively dormant in the past fifty years.

A sampling:

“Leo you are the champ.”

“LEO 100% deserved the win. The fact that 2 judges threw 8.8 on his wave is super suspicious. Was at least a 9+ all day long.”

“Investigate the 8.80 judge.”

“Real champion is Leo! 9.80 overscored or 9.10 underscored! We’re sick of these situations, and embarrassing for WSL.”

“You are embarassing. Leo got robbed in front of everyone.”

“Congrats, Leo!!! You are the real champion. Barron definitely where the best surfer during the entire event, but he lost the final. Once again, WSL shaming itself.”

“You guys got the wrong pic, Leo won.”

Etc.

Though possibly not Italian, the great Johnny Boy Gomes even swung in with “I said congrats, I didn’t say I agree with the judges‼️ Everyone else on the wsl panel thought Leo got the score too except the judges ”

Now, do you think the World Surf League powers that be are worried about shaming itself, once again, or are they too busy enjoying a fine khuzi?

Yum.

Do you, anyhow, have further thoughts on the matter or has care vanished in your heart too?