Slater's wave pool to open to the public
No more Willy Wonka-style competitions. No more cries of elitism. Kelly Slater has successfully applied for a permit to open his Central California wave pool to the public.
Slater applied for a building permit with Kings County back in March. The application says the wavepool, called 'Surf Ranch', will be staffed with 50 employees split between recreational use and ongoing development of the wave generating systems.
The development includes design improvements such as wave dampening to increase commercially viability. Once the wavepool is public, Slater and his investors plan to operate year-round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
It also says the facility will incorporate the golf course to the east of the wavepool for recreational use such as outdoor music and camping for visitors. They are asking for a permit to hold large events - attracting as many as 8,000 visitors, six times a year.
“Operations under this [Surf Ranch] will permit up to six events per calendar year, including recreational and competitive surfing events, and ancillary music performances during a two-to-four day period (i.e. Thursday through Sunday evening). Event operation time will be from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Attendance is estimated to be up to 8,000 guests per day, over a two-to-four day period. Temporary bleachers, sound equipment, and lighting equipment may be setup for events and live music performances. Parking will be provided on site during the events. Contracted services will include traffic control, security, temporary lighting, potable water, portable toilets, wash stations, and trash services for each event. “
Slater's Surf Ranch is located in Lemoore, Central California, approximately 200 kilometres from the coast.
Comments
Where will the WSL wedge the Slater Surf Ranch Pro into the 2018 schedule ya reckon? Replace Rio?
And will they have jet ski assist?
My understanding of the reset time between waves is you could get out, have a coffee (or beer), smash a durrie, saunter back round the side of the pool and still be in plenty of time for your next wave. Jet ski not required.
More interestingly how does priority work? Flip of a coin? Paper, scissors, rock? Arm wrestle?
Priority?... Soggy SAO... Plenty a spoilt wankers on tour .
I've made a few calls and it appears that there is a few spaces left at the Jelly school. If you're quick you might get in. I've booked in already... start Monday.
Beryl cool with that?
I had no choice, it was her idea. Best not to provoke the beast.
So he has the permit? That means there shouldnt be any secrecy to how the pool operates any more. More specifically how many waves per hour. Less waves eqauls more expensive for the punter?
Latest prices per person AUD $12,000 for 4 waves in one hour session. Yes ... 4 waves ... 2 lefts, 2 rights and that's it. Fall off? Stiff shit, don't fall off or it's most expensive splash you've ever made!
Included Pro photogs filming your "session" from various angles ... and ... munchies. Great eh ...
ok, the main question- How Much $$$ ???
Well - interesting. I was in Lemoore two weeks back seeing family on the farm and heard this on the grapevine. Still some work to be done with the local community here and yes it will be popular with people from the Coast. But this ain't a community rolling in cash...
The Kings County does have a water allocation (now) but is also coming out of one of the longest drought's in history (worst since I can remember from the late 80's when I was a student at LHS). I have though taken a step back on the anticipation of visitors. Where are they going to stay in Lemoore, or for that matter Hanford?
For nightlife the 'Farmers Fury' is a great little wine bar that does live music as well (that's right both kinds, Country & Western). For lunch and Dinner you can go to Tadeo's or Reyna's (lovely family at Tadeo's, best Michelada's in town) and WhiteTop is a classic lunch spot that could easily be out of Happy Day's. If you whip into Hanford you can't miss Superior Dairy. More icecream than you could imagine eating, or digesting, in one sitting.
U turn which river do they get the water from? Interesting concept a bit like Las Vegas. Put a water resort in the middle of a desert.....doesn't happen in OZ as we don't have the snow melt or the rockies for feed something like that. I would have thought that would be item 1 on the list - secure water. I am sure they recycle however the amount lost in evaporation in a desert climate is massive. Will be interesting to see how this Luna Park progresses.
Water is from underground i think.
Hope this aquifer isn't anything like the Ogallala.
Hi udo, nope, aint no underground water out here. All from the Kings River. This said, the pool is lined and has a massive liner to stop 'leakage'. Near identical to NLand in Austin.
Underground Wells ?
Just about every farmer has a welll out there. But, the source of that water is the Kings river (not the San Joaquin).
Yep O.k. i just remember reading that the City of Lemoore is serviced by up to 10 ground water wells
'memlasurf' great question. The Kings River. What is unknown is that California is the breafd basket of the USA, and for sheer output, the largest concentration of agriculture in the world.
There has recently been a documentary made on the (dubious) management of water rights in the Valley https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Joaquin_Valley and it really does have a significant correlation to what Barnaby Joyce is dodging right now from farmers.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/water-power-california-heist-...
Yes the whole LA California thing wouldn't exist if they didn't hijack the odd river of 50. The history of water in California is one of corruption and lined pockets and pinching it from other states. The Colorado River supplies over 50% of the water to SC. This must trash the ecosystem of that river similar to the Snowy just the scale is multiplied by who knows what. Yes water rights would be a political mine field when you think of the scale (49km3 of water per year). Wasn't the movie China Town cast against a background of the corruption in water rights in the 40's?
Okay, where do i sign up?
AUD $100 per wave is my limit, 3 waves will do me.
do you have to be bald to ride this wave?
Judging by the way Outerknown entered the market as premium-casual (price-wise), and looking at N-Land's Surf Park charges $90 US for an hour on their 'Reef Wave', I would expect KS to be entering the market with this as a premium experience. I'm banking on, minimum, $200 US p/hour.
cswells - I was in Texas a couple of weeks back and caught up with a mate (Aus) who was 'desperate' for a surf. So we made the hike to NLand. $90 per hour, you're spot on. There is no membership rights (Annual, Family, etc). An experience. Would I go again, nope!
Ah that's interesting! What was the wave quality like?
I think you've hit the nail on the head - they're selling an experience, not something that really encourages repeat business. Although, with their golf course and added ability to hold music events, it seems they're putting in place other revenue stream abilities.
Although my speculation is they'll enter the market with ambitious pricing, I doubt it would be sustainable, especially if they don't offer passes like you've mentioned.
Maybe they'll take a route of developing it into a training center like Hurley's Performance Center? It's not like a theme park where there's different rides for all family members.
I'm intrigued to see how this unfolds!
...if Swellnet like I might run a little piece on the experience, (but you're spot on with the call!).
I'd be keen to read that article!
So does the park run on chlorinated fresh water, or do they salt it?
Any plans in for a horse stable and accommodation, as the grommets may not make it home before dark.