Not the type of freaky foiling that Laird Hamilton started. This version of a man-made wave was how is the original Snowdonia and Wave Garden began. Kelly’s Surf Ranch is the zenith point of this technology. A foil is dragged through the water and essentially makes a large boat wake that spins off a shallow bottom to form a wave. The great thing about these systems is that they impart energy into the wave for the full length of ride, which is an improvement on the original generation.

However, the problem with foil technology is that you have one massive foil dragged along by one massive cable. If that fails, you’re out. Potentially for months. From an operator’s perspective that’s a substantial risk. It also produces a type of wave that refracts away in a convex shape. This means you need a super shallow bottom and fast moving wave to throw into a proper barrel. Even then, the vortex stays pretty small. If you get caught behind the whitewater you’re gone. It also takes a long time between waves, because of the turbulence behind the foil. You have to wait for the water to clear before going again.

If you’re a reasonable surfer, however, it means 20 second barrels and leg burners with a zillion turns. You need rest after that.

Anyone who has been watching Occy’s Surf Lakes clips drop on Stab will know what this is. Exactly as the heading, it’s a big plunger in the middle of a pond that pumps up and down like you’re trying to dislodge a giant turd from a toilet. Instead of a turd though, you get glorious waves. This isn’t quite its own generation of technology. It’s fairly similar to the first pump and dump system, with one major difference – waves radiate out in every direction, offering way more surfing opportunities and the ability to form different wave types in the same pool at the same time.

The drawbacks to this system are a combination of the first two generations of tech. First, the wave power dissipates quickly as it radiates out. Again, watch the Surf Lakes clips for this. Next to the plunger, things heave up and are super impressive to start. At the end, it’s ankle high. You’re also looking at one big failure point in the middle. If that stops, you’re in for a pretty protracted flat spell.

Still, slabbing peaks around the entire circle of the pool with set after set looks incredibly enticing.

This latest version of wave pool systems is what you get when you’re looking at The Cove by Wavegarden and also American Wave Machines (like you see in Waco). They have different power systems, but run on essentially the same idea. These pools have around 40+ individual pistons in the water, each controlled with it’s own angle, power and speed. The plus of this system is less reliance on one big moving part to generate waves (although if the power is out, you’re still cooked). There’s also the ability to generate more sets without the need to wait for the wake to abate, and also the ability to generate a large variation of wave types. The waves produced with this tech are also concave in shape, which means they’re more similar to ocean waves and throw out further without the need for ultra shallow bottoms.

While these systems are definitely a step forward again, there’s still the question of wave size. At the moment, Texas is 3ft at best. URBN SURF in Oz will be the latest version of The Cove tech on display, but is yet to be proven. However, it’s unlikely you’re looking at 6-8ft dream waves here any time soon. At least not until a 4th generation of system comes out.

Again though, pits at the push of a button? Pretty much what every surfer dreams of when they wake up in the morning.

If you’ve read our article on The Business of Wave Pools (link), you’ll know that a variety of waves to suit different skill levels and frequency of waves is what will win the day economically. Heaving slabs, long points, rippable sections and air wedges are all things to think about when targeting customs. While the source of wave generation will effect what makes a good wave, it’s ultimately the bottom shape that puts the spice in the salami. This is a bit of the secret sauce when it comes to wave factories and one that remains largely under wraps (and underwater). In addition to the shape itself, there also needs to be thought in the material used to create the bottom. No one wants to fall onto concrete, but too much give and the bottom changes over time. We don’t have the answers here, but feel like this could be another major source of tech development in the future.

Stay tuned on developments, and stay tuned for a future article on why wave pools should revolutionise the way we look at surfing today.