A young surfer wearing a helmet carves through a wave at a wave pool, showcasing balance and control.
Wave pools are indoor and outdoor pools that are designed to create artificial waves for the purpose of surfing.
They've been around in one form or another since the 60s, but only since Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch opened in 2018 have they truly been able to imitate ocean surfing.
That said, ocean surfing and wave pool surfing are still vastly different in terms of feel, culture and experience.
We're often asked how wave pools stack up against the ocean and whether they can truly compare, so let's dive in and take a closer look.
What is a wave pool?
A wave pool, such as the URBNSURF in Melbourne/Sydney, Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch in the US, Surf Stadium in Japan or Surftown in Munich, is a large body of water that uses a mechanism to create waves.
Tearing Bags at the Munich Wave Pool Germany
These wave pools can be either open to the public or private, as is the case with the Surf Ranch. Beginner, intermediate and professional surfers can all use wave pools to improve their skills and catch waves without needing to wait for the right ocean conditions.
You also needn't be located near the ocean to experience surfing anymore - wave pools have made it possible to bring the sport inland.
How do wave pools work?
Wave pools use various mechanisms such as paddles, air chambers or giant plungers to create artificial waves that mimic ocean waves.
These waves come in sets, usually 8 or more, with a break in between to allow surfers to paddle back out.
Unlike ocean waves, which are formed by the wind and swell patterns, wave pools have more control over their waves. This means that the wave height, shape and frequency can all be adjusted according to the pool's design and settings.
An amateur surfer rides a clean left-hander at a wave pool, with a lifeguard overseeing the session.
For example, the Surf Ranch uses a hydrofoil system that generates energy through pumping water into a narrow pool of water. This creates powerful and consistent waves that can reach heights of up to 6 feet.
Other wave pools rely on paddles or air chambers to push out water, creating smaller but equally as fun waves. Wave pool technology varies from location to location and is constantly evolving as new technologies are developed.
What are the different types of wave pool?
A wave park or pool comes in a few different forms.
There are stationary waves like this one in Singapore, waves that run down the line like Surf Abu Dhabi and waves that offer a variety of wave types, such as the Wavegarden Cove pools.
Urbansurf, with their Sydney and Melbourne locations, allow you to choose between a number of different waves, each offering something slightly different for surfers of all levels. This flexibility allows for more creativity and progression in surfing.
Some are an indoor pool while others are a surfing lagoon or attached to a lazy river, such as this one in Texas.
Surf parks that offer a variety of waves and environments are appealing to surfers as it offers more variety and challenges, but the emphasis should always be on the quality of the waves and the cost per session.
Does Perth have a wave pool?
Not yet as of writing this, but good news may be on the horizon.
Aventuur’s $100 million Cockburn Wave Park project is set to be the largest aquatic centre/surf park in the Southern Hemisphere.
Located on a 5.8-hectare site at Prinsep Road in Jandakot, the Perth wave park will be just a 20-minute drive from our CBD.
The site is conveniently positioned near the Kwinana Freeway and Cockburn Central train station, ensuring easy access for visitors.
Aventuur’s proposal was chosen over Urbnsurf, the company behind surf parks in Melbourne airport and Sydney. It'll provide a steady stream of waves in addition to great facilities.
In fact, the Perth surf park is expected to become a major recreational attraction, offering a surfing lagoon (with over 25 different kinds of waves), a boutique surf hotel, a health and wellness centre, a beach club and restaurants.
How do wave pools differ from the ocean?
It's natural to compare wave pools and the ocean given that both offer the opportunity to surf.
Personally, we see wave pools as an entity unto themselves, much like skateboarding is broken up into "street" and "vert".
There's no denying that there are pros and cons to both, but the experience of surfing in a wave pool is vastly different from ocean surfing. Here are a few key differences to consider:
Nature versus man-made: In the ocean, waves are created by natural elements such as wind and swell patterns. In contrast, wave pools use technology to create artificial waves
Consistency: Wave pools offer consistent and predictable waves, while in the ocean, surfers need to monitor conditions and figure out where is best on a particular day
Water quality: We're blessed in Western Australia with some of the cleanest water in the world. Wave pools use state of the art filtration systems to ensure the water is clean and safe for surfers, however, you'll never get the same feeling of being in natural ocean water
Crowds: Because there's only one takeoff spot at a wave pool the surfing experience can feel crowded and even claustrophobic at times. In the ocean, there are multiple takeoff points and more space to spread out, which can be seen as a pro or con depending on the individual
Buoyancy: Saltwater is more buoyant than freshwater, so surfing in a wave pool may feel slightly different due to the water's density
Cost: As mentioned before, wave pools can be quite expensive for just one session, while surfing in the ocean is free
Learning experience: If you intend on learning in a wave pool then transitioning to the ocean, there may be a slight learning curve as the dynamics of each environment are different. Wave pools do offer a safe and controlled environment for beginners, but it's important to remember that real ocean waves can be unpredictable and require more skill to navigate
A female surfer balances gracefully on a wave at a wave pool, enjoying the perfect conditions.
Where is the best place to learn surfing?
School holidays coming up? Have some time off work? Looking to try surfing for the first time?
The question as to where is the best place to learn surfing is a common one, and there's no right or wrong answer. Some people may prefer learning in a wave pool with consistent waves and controlled conditions, while others may thrive on the challenge of learning in the ocean.
Ultimately, it depends on personal preference and where you have access to. If you live near a wave pool, it may be a convenient and fun way to learn the basics of surfing. If you have regular access to the ocean and want a more authentic and dynamic experience, then learning in the ocean may be the way to go.
One thing worth pointing out though is that its much harder to transition from wave pool to ocean surfing than from ocean to wave pool.
This is because surfing in the ocean requires a certain level of skill, confidence and understanding of conditions that may not be fully developed within the safe and controlled environment of a wave pool.
Final thoughts
We love surfing in the ocean in Western Australia - it's an experience like no other.
But with wave pool technology constantly evolving and making surfing more accessible to people all around the world, it's exciting to see how surf parks will continue to grow and innovate in the future.
They'll never replace the unfettered freedom and connection to nature that comes with surfing in the ocean, but they offer a unique and valuable experience for surfers wanting to catch their first waves.
Don't forget to check out the Perth park when it opens.
Better yet, start your surf journey with us today so you can hit the ground running (or the water riding) when it opens.
