See you next year, Lemoore

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

As Gabriel Medina and Lakey Peterson stood victorious on the Lemoore dais, their silverware dazzling in the Central Valley sun, the big blue train sat idle in the background. Over three days, it had made 360 trips up the length of the pool.

It's the train, of course, that pulls the plow that creates the wave, making it the wavepool equivalent of wind over water; the first link in a chain of events that this weekend ended with the Freshwater Pro and everything that was written about it. Which, like last year, was a hell of a lot.

The general tenor of commentary, gathered from reading tens of articles and thousands of comments, gave the Freshwater Pro a conditional thumbs down. It's a great wave but boring to watch, the field was too big, the schedule hard to follow. Some commentary even presumed the Wozzle will can the tub for 2020 based on those criticisms. But that view completely overlooks the Wozzle's business model.

It's no secret that the WSL has been bleeding money on the CT, QS, and BWT - which they've just nixed - however, the one area of the company that's doing fine is wavepools. In 2016, the Wozzle bought a majority share in the Kelly Slater Wave Company (KSWC) and brought in "visionary leader" Nick Franklin to "focus on the growth and development of the business globally". Which means much more than just running a contest once a year.

In Australia, they hired ex-Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark to facilitate the roll out of KSWC tubs here in Australia. The planned Coolum sports centre is short odds for our first KSWC pool.

The weekend's contest was presented by Outerknown. It didn't have an umbrella sponsor, making it one of the three white-label contests this year - Margs and Tahiti being the other two. However, it didn't need a sponsor as just by sending that blue train down the pool it's showcasing a product - the waves themselves.

And in two days from now, once the banners have been removed and scaffolding disassembled, the blue train will again head down the pool and make waves for paying customers, people who've seen the vision, maybe don't care much for the contest format, but have always wanted to surf the wave. Maybe they'll pay for it themselves, or maybe the boss will pony up.

The Surf Ranch charges US$55,000 a day through the four month high season, and $33,000 through the low, plus there's all manner of VIP experience packages for sale. It's booked tight till 2021 making it the Wozzle's only assured cash cow.

Complaints about fairness and suitability carried weight when surfing's peak body was a not-for-profit, but now it's privately owned and spinning a business on the side they miss the big picture. 

Maybe the Wozzle will heed some of the commentary, maybe sharpen up the format, but they won't miss an opportunity to display their golden goose to a global audience.

One way or another the CT will be at Lemoore, 2020.

Comments

black-duck's picture
black-duck's picture
black-duck Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 2:04pm

1 wave approx every 4 minutes.
Say you get a 9 hour window.
That's about 135 waves in a day, just over $400 per wave if you pay full whack for a day pass. Lunch would want to be high quality, and short.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 2:10pm

Anyone got first hand experience in corporate retreats/team building trips?

I mean, this won't come as a surprise to anyone following the developments of WeWork, but from an article in Vanity Fair last year:

"Last weekend, some 8,000 WeWork employees decamped to Eridge Park in the English countryside for the workspace-sharing company’s seventh annual “summer camp” gathering, a sort of corporate retreat-meets-Coachella for the Silicon Valley set."

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/08/wework-summer-camp-party

There's always a target audience, somewhere.

Bustard's picture
Bustard's picture
Bustard Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 2:38pm

Based on Black Ducks assumptions, WeWork would need 60 days to give every attendee 1 wave, a cool $3.3M in High season to the Woz factory.

Ben - re corporate trips / conferences etc ...approx $500 per head per day is a rough budget for accom / travel / food / keynote speaker / entertainment etc etc ( thats for a domestic / Aus Based Function....and that aint anything too flashy.

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 2:43pm

Anyone got first hand experience in corporate retreats/team building trips?

Hang on, aren't you the bloke who keeps claiming I own a corporate surf school? Don't be shy Ben, just ask. Or were you talking complete shit for weeks on end?

Womble123's picture
Womble123's picture
Womble123 Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:14pm

too many over the years... very few involve team building that doesn't revolve around massive alcohol intake and swiftly regretted liaisons! Company wastes money and everyone learns very little! Cynical I know.

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:20pm

"very few involve team building that doesn't revolve around massive alcohol intake and swiftly regretted liaisons"
Sorry Womble but the GFC and lawyers have pretty much ended that situation. Yes it still occurs (mostly in male-dominated industries) but it's increasingly rare. Much of my work is about providing non alcoholic related entertainment / training to keep everything nice. I'm a bit like the bread and potatoes at Christmas dinner to stop the racist uncle making a dick of himself and ruining the family Christmas.

Womble123's picture
Womble123's picture
Womble123 Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:24pm

Hmm I'm going to politely disagree that the situation has ended - but is probably sector specific and less on the large corporate/bank front. I long ago developed a "stay sober" mentality to work events - now if I could bring that to personal events I'd be thinner!

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:35pm

Womble. Tidier events are a general trend and there will still be holdouts to "old school" corporate entertainment. Think long boozy dinners that morph into late night visits to strip joints on the company credit card. (not my line or work). Banks aren't doing anything after the Royal Commission.
Places like wave pools, zoos, stadiums etc are in high demand for family days and Christmas parties. Getting tanked in front of the boss' kids just isn't a good look, there's venue RSA obligations, not to mention HR implications for drunken stupidity. You can see why wave pools are high in demand, given they are pre-themed. BTW, I reckon between 5 - 10% of guests at a corporate shindig would actually go surfing. The rest would be watching bands, at the buffet, getting their faces painted, taking selfies with pro football players, listening to the CEO thank you speeches. etc etc.

Womble123's picture
Womble123's picture
Womble123 Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:39pm

Hey I'm convinced! Just need wave pools in Australia to become commercial reality which won't take long. I've always refused having a corporate credit card tbh as it's a good way to be seen to be "taking advantage". Your points are very valid but the other stuff is still going on but perhaps paid for differently these days....

velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 6:01pm

My lads did Zorbing for their work-bonding do. I wonder if that is your company VL... The footage was hilarious. If it was you, thank you for the laughs.

Paintball perhaps the most fun work team building stuff for mine. Hunt the snipers... Let your trigger finger take the frustrations away.

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 7:46pm

Wasn't me with the bubble soccer. Paintball is always interesting for the boss. Seen a few "friendly-fire" shots in the back of the CEO's head in my time. Sometimes before the games even start. Awkward.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:14pm

Shit! I’d forgotten about your surf school. I’ve recently been reading up on the shit show that is WeWork (hence the link above) and thought there may be some Swellnet readers with similar experiences.

Love to hear your thoughts, though a Corporate Surf School is a little different to the Surf Ranch.

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:21pm

I'm rolling my eyes at you Ben.

JackStance's picture
JackStance's picture
JackStance Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:02pm

Well now we know where Dutton takes his friends for lunch.

davetherave's picture
davetherave's picture
davetherave Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:04pm

swellnet taking all subscribers to yeppoon in 2020- yeah ben, always thought you were a good style of a bloke.

regano's picture
regano's picture
regano Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:32pm

Two questions. First, what powers the 'blue train'? and second, was that $55,000 per day for how many people?

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:36pm

The big blue train carries the plow that makes the wave. See image in text for a visual.

$55,000 to hire the pool for a day. One person or twenty, doesn't matter.

Womble123's picture
Womble123's picture
Womble123 Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:39pm

supposedly solar powered.....

regano's picture
regano's picture
regano Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:41pm

That makes sense...

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:44pm

Powered with bought solar produced power

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 9:40pm

Wave Train Solar Panels only power the Hydrofoil...(Ratty tarps hide/access secrets)
The Ranch buys premium AE & G grid solar power to compliment the Park.

https://www.markholtzman.com/Sports/Surfing/2018-WSL-Founders-Cup-at-Kel...
https://www.markholtzman.com/Sports/Surfing/2018-WSL-Founders-Cup-at-Kel...
https://www.markholtzman.com/Sports/Surfing/2018-WSL-Founders-Cup-at-Kel...

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 10:11pm

.

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:42pm

Ah, you were asking what powers it!

Well, not wave power, though that would be pretty neat. It's solar offset as Womble has already mentioned.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Tuesday, 24 Sep 2019 at 12:13am

That's right ! It was important for Kelly's sun to power his waves.
(It's a GOAT thing!)
From there, people assume Kelly's solar waves power the whole park...Alas No!

Surf Lakes FAQ's (Environmental Stewardship)
*How much electricity is used & will it be renewable?
https://www.surf-lakes.com.au/faq/

Surf Lakes can generate electricity from channels returning to centre.
Each site generating renewables from Solar/Wind /Hydro generation.

WendyM's picture
WendyM's picture
WendyM Tuesday, 24 Sep 2019 at 10:16am

Fuck that wave pool bring back cloudbreak

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:45pm

55K USD per day

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 3:54pm

If you think that's a lot, check out what some key note speakers and celebrities charge for corporate events. I got a quote from a retired high profile sports "star" to show off his "athletic" skills. Price $40K for a couple of hours "work" and he didn't even have to get in front of a microphone.

Bustard's picture
Bustard's picture
Bustard Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 5:48pm

Yep .. $10k for an hour presentation + travel is pretty standard for any non “star” key note who has any sort of healthy credential

Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67 Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 6:19pm

Yep - a previous employer of mine paid $35K for Tom Hafey back in the mid 90's. Guy was a knob, couldn't speak anything other than AFL-speak gibberish. When he asked who I supported I said no one mate, I surf. He was completely lost as to what to say next - lol - needless to say he was never invited back. $55K in today's money by comparison sounds bloody good. Does KS appear for a team rev up?

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 5:04pm

My three employees are not going on any retreats, I see enough of them every day let alone spending after hours with them! $400 per wave is serious money, two waves and you are going to Indonesia and back, few more and you have spending money for a couple of weeks. And Lemore is such a picture post card location.

Island Bay's picture
Island Bay's picture
Island Bay Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 5:26pm

I'm not sure the pond will stay on the roster. If it does, however, on the back of this year's contest, they can thank Gabriel Medina.

Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67 Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 6:14pm

Or God? Maybe in Wozzle land, they are one and the same?

Bustard's picture
Bustard's picture
Bustard Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 6:19pm

Sorry surfalot ... in the woz factory god wears jeans .... in the surf !!!!!!!

Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67's picture
Surfalot67 Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 6:22pm

Bahaha! Touché Bustard, you're dead right, and $300 jeans at that!

Bustard's picture
Bustard's picture
Bustard Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 6:37pm

Faaarks I hadn’t seen the price, however I have a plan. u , me and Gary g go thirds in a pair... I take first week, u take second week, Gary g takes third week then we swap so u take first week ......

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Monday, 23 Sep 2019 at 11:32pm

The planned Coolum Sports Centre will also need a cheap water supply.
Both Melbourne & Sunshine Coast Airports now remediate stormwater run off.

Melbourne Airport filters 130ML water @ + Essendon FC + (25ML > URBNSURF).
https://www.spiire.com.au/projects/melb-airport/

Sunny Cst Airport filters 22ML water @ + Coolum Sports + (57ML > Kelly/WSL pool).
https://theworldnews.net/au-news/airport-water-tank-installed-to-manage-...
Coolum tank may be smaller but is a renowned heavy rainfall site! (Steady Supply)
Eg: WSL could advantage rainy season to fill the Pool...then manage quite easy!
Besides, Kelly might run the Twin Lagoon set up to alternate supply.

Coolum Alternative is on the down low! (Both water supplies are timely for WSL!)
2018 Sunny Coast Desal proposal...(Logistically @ Airport Pipeline site as recent)
https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/desalination-plant-being-prop...

Note 2017 JW got burnt at previous Noosa Wave Pool he might go all in with WSL.
https://www.swellnet.com/comment/600315

Sunny Cst 2020/1 Bulk Water charges for Kelly's Pool fill= $177,275 + Day= $3,560
Town water is prohibitive for Wave pools...Airport plumbing deals save the wetlands.
URBNSURF/ Ranch run UV filters as usual & score lazy #1 Air-Rail-Bus-[P]-Accom.
Package deal massages 3rd Tier Local Govt gold plated super scam.(Money for Jam!)

Remigogo's picture
Remigogo's picture
Remigogo Tuesday, 24 Sep 2019 at 12:11am

Surely for the CT the wave itself would need another couple of feet in height to enable variety and progression the judges are supposedly looking for.

Between waves I couldn't help my mind comparing it to Jbay where less experienced pros at times struggle with the pace of the wave.

Kelly sounded pretty keen in an interview to continue development. I hope in part he meant increasing size and progressing sections.

Good on the corporates cash splash.

lost's picture
lost's picture
lost Tuesday, 24 Sep 2019 at 8:03am

In terms of what individuals will pay have a look at some of Canada’s up market heli-ski operations. You can start at about $2k a day but that’s one chopper servicing 3 groups of 10. Plenty of people opt for a private chopper with smaller groups of say 5 making the day rate $12k per person. Most people do 5 or 7 days. Some take their own personal guides/instructors from other parts of the world with them. Throw in some seriously expensive wine each evening, a personal video and photo package plus drop $3k on new gear from the pro-shop......I’m not surprised the pond is booked out.

Ps yes I’ve been heli-boarding. The cheapest deal I could find but still came in over $15k for the week. Blew my corporate bonus in one go and it was unbelievably good. Would I do it all again....yep, one day. Met a guy there who had paid for all his mates for a week ( and had done for every week for the last 5 years) there is money out there !

Island Bay's picture
Island Bay's picture
Island Bay Tuesday, 24 Sep 2019 at 8:21am

Lost, you need to come heliskiing in NZ. Around $1000/day, small groups, big mountains.

lost's picture
lost's picture
lost Tuesday, 24 Sep 2019 at 8:56am

Yep NZ is amazing and some of the best value heli in the world. $2k usually includes accom and food etc. NZ you can stay in a van and blow every dollar on Heli ( like I have). Only downside of NZ is down days tend to be higher and no cat back up but get a good day in NZ and you will never forget it - amazing.

belly's picture
belly's picture
belly Tuesday, 24 Sep 2019 at 12:04pm

My total cost for PNH in 2010 was $10k (got 3 full heli days plus a warm up day at Alyeska), basically cost the same to do a standard TIL Telos package in 2016.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Tuesday, 24 Sep 2019 at 9:52am

Promo-Air Bali A listerz / G Land Heli- @ $14,000 /day ($5170 for private Speed boat)
Spot the: NZ Flag sticker on Pilot's side door...NZ Chopper Scam?

2019 Red Bull 'Heavy Water' A list Movie Star (Chopper Squad Drop)

2006 'Passion Pop' ASP Pro movie Star (Big Bird caddy drop)
https://stabmag.com/assets/Uploads/2012/02/taj_jumpseq.jpg

2013 Coast Guard's day off Corporate Vid

2019 'Unstoppable' Ironmen Chopper Tow-ins thru the breakfast isle this summer

2016 Flying Frenchies Surf Safari

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Tuesday, 24 Sep 2019 at 10:16am

I helied a day in Canada at Whistler/Blackcomb.

amazing terrain/snow but the guiding was very restrictive.

filed it under: done it once, no need to do it again.

I had more fun hiking the backcountry ridges/couloirs.

lost's picture
lost's picture
lost Tuesday, 24 Sep 2019 at 11:34am

Yep you have to get away from the main resorts to the further out operators. Guides as you would expect place a high importance on safety. Alpine is always amazing but trees are offer better for steeps as effectively they let you much steeper terrain as less chance of avalanches.

Hiking is rewarding for sure but I’ll take 15 runs over 2 in a day anytime.

I have always enjoyed side country where you can get lots of fresh with a bit of hiking and still utilise lifts.

ojackojacko's picture
ojackojacko's picture
ojackojacko Tuesday, 24 Sep 2019 at 11:38am

i watched a helicopter fly over my house once (actually, repeatedly, but one day) and water-bomb a bushfire

OHBILLY's picture
OHBILLY's picture
OHBILLY Tuesday, 24 Sep 2019 at 12:28pm

This is the most boring contest to have ever hit the WSL...

It was semi-interesting the first time they went. Now it's just boring as batshit.

We want to see these 'athletes' pushing the boundaries. Should scrap this joint and move it to Shipsterns, or maybe put Cloudbreak back into the mix?

Maybe I just haven't drunk the pee-flavoured wavepool kool-aid.

lost's picture
lost's picture
lost Tuesday, 24 Sep 2019 at 10:03pm

I only tuned in for fantasy team but they couldn’t even get that right. Very very boring especially any tube time.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Wednesday, 25 Sep 2019 at 5:19am

it was really strange how much of a shambles the broadcast was.

the one incontrovertible strength of having a comp in a wave pool turned into a weakness.

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Wednesday, 25 Sep 2019 at 9:18am

I figured it was only 'cos I was watching sporadically that I couldn't make sense of it. Gave up trying and so each wave I watched was decoupled from the theatre of competition making for suspense free viewing, in turn making it easy to switch off and find something else to do.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Wednesday, 25 Sep 2019 at 9:35am

it was weird because last years broadcast and website was so tight, so easy to follow.

not sure whether the shambles this year was incompetence/budget cuts or some sort of deliberate strategy to prevent viewers from using the schedule to only watch the top seeds.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Wednesday, 25 Sep 2019 at 9:51am

I read somewhere that someone ( Owen Wright? ) was saying that it’s good because you’re not reliant on wind , tide or swell and you know days in advance exactly what time your heat is going to be in the water.

Closely guarded secret obviously.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Wednesday, 25 Sep 2019 at 8:08pm

freeride76 got so close...tbb is gonna pay that. (Listen up crew!) The change seems small but served to please both Surfers & pool boy but drove fans away.
2018 Founders Cup surfed the Left 1st then the Right 2nd.(So! Big Deal tbb!).2019 Freshwater Pros surf the Right 1st & the Left 2nd.(Again! tbb is losin' it!) Just you wait!
The 2018 Founders Cup Pros simply jumped into the Left then after surfing the surfers were stranded @ "away" inaccessible end. Meaning they simply had to wait a few minutes for a new Wave to surf the Right back to the hanger without rest, coaching, score, strategy or pit crews...(That's enough to make you cry!) Someone obviously dobbed in WSL to the UN.
The 2019 Freshwater Pro Tows surfers way down to the Right then returns slower to base camp.
The Pro surfs the right wave 1st ...all the way home into Pit Lane...pit crew gives diagnostic read out & switch to Custom offset Left craft design to correspond to heavy leg loading at the time.(Possibly more float & loose design to soften blow on heavy legs) Crew will need to discuss a lazy left design...not tbb's cup of tea! But you all know it makes more sense from Athletes safety perspective.
Towie then still reloads the weary Pro at ultra slow speed to the nearby left lineup, returning a 2nd unneeded time to buy reload time for Wave.This way no one sits looking bored & Kelly can run machine all day at this rate.

When machine is firing the Jetski doubles a pay load to the far Right...We saw that!

tbb believes change suits both tired surfer & ageing wave tech to recover.
The change also buys just enough Ad time so every single swellnet crew member tuned out! It worked pretty well cause tbb took this long to work it out...yeah! A bit late Huh! We all bought it! Ripped off again!
Maybe so, but tbb will hazard a guess & say only swellnet is onto this here & now!
Again tbb is not a boardrider & as such had the bullshit detector set on fair game!

So what was the Giveaway tbb?
Weekend hack skiers used to run laps around here...now Surf Olympians make a big deal over leg burn even after the dual stick- double dip ski lift...about then tbb knew they were hiding something much bigger!

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Thursday, 26 Sep 2019 at 5:08pm

Stu highlights the stark corporate nature of today's Surf nob'z wave pools.

1920's Euro Wave Pools were geared to high end cosy resorts, malls & Gardens
1930's UK (1st Boards) & New York ran with huge municipal wave models
Post War saw value add delegated shared resource.
1960's Introduced segregated Surf Board displays/Comps & sessions.
1960's Rock Concerts (Mega) Qld Helidon Spa (Non wave) hosted 'Bee Gees'
1970's Wave pools doubled as premium Touring Rock Concert Venues
https://images1.phoenixnewtimes.com/imager/u/blog/7724345/big_surf_wet_e...
USA Big Surf Touring Acts : Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Blue Oyster Cult, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foghat, Steely Dan, Chicago, Beach Boys, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, Sting, Boz Scaggs,
Pink Floyd conjured up a Hellish Storm
https://www.neptunepinkfloyd.co.uk/photos/index.php/Pink-Floyd-Photos/Pi...

50th Anniversary Big Surf offers Surf Board riding sessions (Closed over winter)
$50 (General entry) + $25 Board Hire
Big Surf is sadly not listed as a WSR...
All shaking heads in disbelief... 1st freshwater surf Comp venue 50th Year?
Making surfers look lame, as if! US Engineers ASME in 2013 Heritage Listed Big Surf.
https://www.asme.org/wwwasmeorg/media/resourcefiles/aboutasme/who%20we%2...

1990's Theme Park Wave Pools held Dive-in Movies + Hard Craft were being outed.
2000's After Hours National Soft Board Surf Lessons + Flow Boarding Booger comps.
2010's Wave Pools Nippers + Resort Style Wave Pools make a Comeback.
Full circle Euro Mall /Resort Pro Circuit is now a reality (Pure) Rapid Surf League.
2020's could actually host a Euro Rapid Surf League Centenary Comp in original Pool.
WSL ditched 50 yrs salutes then get wiped out by 100yr Euro wavepool party. WTF.

Surf Board Pro's side pocket Trial Wave Pool Comps via the desert towns.
Corporate golf style desert ranch Wave Pools wallowing in #1 water wasting courses.
Boss hog's stinkin' moonshine commands top dollar until someone brews stronger.
How is this good for surfing? It's not! Surfers wear out whiteshoes in every town.

2017 Olympic bid ...Did WSL salute Tokyo's 1st international Surfing Arena 50th?
https://cdn.theatlantic.com/assets/media/img/posts/2018/10/AP_670807096/...

2019 US 1st international Comp -50th WSL Big Surf Wave Pool Heritage Comp? No!


https://azbigmedia.com/lifestyle/family-fun/big-surf-waterpark-celebrate...

Will either hard working Wave Pool venues be nominated as World Surf Reserves?
Does Kelly or WSL actually care about Wave Pool Surfing/Heritage, crew can answer!

Greg Cruse's picture
Greg Cruse's picture
Greg Cruse Sunday, 29 Sep 2019 at 11:15am

I try to watch most events but they lost me at this one. I have been trying to work out why it was so boring, so repetitive. It seems every wave I have traveled to on the planet had its own unique look or signature. The surrounds, how the wave looks and breaks, every one very unique. Sometimes I surf a spot and think this reminds me of...... you know such and such. I think the Lemoore wave as a man-made structure is very much like many other man-made structures on the planet, it doesn't quite live up to the real thing. The God created wave compared to the god created wave.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Monday, 28 Oct 2019 at 2:24am

Lemoore's dirty laundry comes at a cost.
Are WSL dealing The Ranch out of the game?

Rewind a little for the bigger picture.
Background: (SA) A. Stark ran 3 grom wavepools + HP semi private Surfing estate.

GC Surf Rage taskforce scream wavepool, enter Kelly's state significant development.

2012 Kelly: "Wavepools may reduce the gap between Surfing & Olympics!"
2013 Bede Durbidge:
"Artificial wavepools provide something the real thing can't - reliable swell...
Perfect for training & assisting our talent to become competitive on the world stage!"

2014: A.Stark writes letter of support for Sunshine Coast wavepool + WSL tour nod.

2015 Wavegarden Wales packs 2,000 into small town Redbull Arena event.


2015 The Ranch fires up perfect waves.

2016 Stark wants KS wavepool on Gold Coast as future of surfing!
2016: WSL buy into Kelly's Ranch.

2017/18 Vic Govt Surf Training Village with wavepool (Report)
https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/415952/Docum...

2018 (SA) A.Stark joins WSL...& books Oz Team into the Ranch
Media questioned how Oz Surf Team of 26 flybuys $1m sleepover @ The Ranch.
Answer: They didn't!
'NSW' Surf '17-18 Olympic Accounts-14 billed $14,000 (Return Flights $1,000 each)
https://www.nswis.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/NSWIS-Annual-Report-...
Only 'qualified athletes' score free flights (Steph/Sally only qualified in Oct 2019)
$ 1m missing from Olympic accounts? Kelly:('substantial reductions') - code for Free.
WSL couldn't risk being left on the shelf, so had no worries trashing Olympic ideal.

Did WSL deal Oz Team free training over other teams to corrupt WSL Olympic events
Freshwater Pro is an Olympic qualifying event & warm up is afforded fairly...until now!
Australian Coach B. Durbidge (above) say they train there out of respect to WSL?
Truth is Oz elites must pay in free advertising...gets tricky to ignore the outside world.

No.1 GC Women's Champ repeating Olympics should be held 'these' Wave Pools.

Oz Pros are not to gaze or be seen at waco...just saying their absence is noticeable.
Team USA turned back on Ranch to sign with surf-centric waves a plenty Waco.
Team player Kelly must be christened in unholy wavepool or boycott Olympic dream.

Steph: "Airs are Dumb!" Was a dig at Waco + Stab High, that injured WSL Co Co.
OZ held up at the Ranch POW camp vs happiest ever WSL US chix Waco wavepool
https://www.facebook.com/AlanaBlanchardFanPage/videos/heres-a-little-edi...
Video celebrates surf mum's beach party resort setting vs The Ranch wreckers yard.
Most fun wave pool paradise clip ever! Surf fans are looping leis over wahines.

Behind the scenes at Freshwater Pro...wave starved WSL Pros craved a waco wave!
WSL Pros rate The Ranch as the worst training facility for WSL Olympic event/s.

Top Qld Guns also avoid wave garden until WSL Qld deal goes down, too obvious?
Sally is WSL pinup girl & almost a Qldurr...she too must steer clear of rival evil pools.
New Oceania CEO Stark repays by flogging off a dusty Olympic Pool to Sunny crew .

Kelly feeds disciples #1 + #2 Wonka Treats...spoils 'em rotten! (Nice shots @ Ranch)
http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Kelly+Slater/Stephanie+Gilmore/Breitling+Su...

WSL set free 2nd tier Oz team to roam with evil WSL pros in wavegarden lineups.
Stark only needs to keep his Qld guns & Top chix in line until Sunny ink is dry.
Note: Qld / 60% Oz flood claims = $11b/yr...uploading Oz their bill for Sunny Ranch!

OK! You got ahead of me! That's right, what if WSL loses Oz to URBNSURF.

How can WSL parade Kelly's unloved relic at the heart of WSL Tour...(Too easy!)
Next year is ISA/Pan/Olympic Year which means WSL will likely drop 2 events.
Word is Teahupoo is too tough after Olympics + 2 USA comps aren't needed.
WSL Payback'USA sells out Surfin'USA 'Lowers' for Wavepoolin'USA 'The Ranch' .
https://www.theinertia.com/surf/trestles-off-tour-2020-world-surf-league...
WSL & Kelly surf Olympic chariots thru WSL Olympians After Wavepool Party !
Twist in the tale: WSL whipped up a Texas Twister just for the special occasion.
https://www.theinertia.com/surf/surf-ranch-austin-plans-world-surf-leagu...

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Sunday, 9 Aug 2020 at 2:30pm

Gotta hand it to Stu, Lemoore is the Centre of the Surfing World during Coronavirus.

Covid -19 Surf Fort CCTV

It's now Next Year 2020 & World #1 surf Journo swellnet Stu is callin' the shots.
Coronavirus has halted Pro Surfing Events, all but the Pro's Ranch hideout that is!

28 Feb [ Liquid Dreams ] Insane Surfing at Kelly Slater's Wave Pool in [ 4K ]

&feature=emb_logo

10 March [ Flo' Pov ]

13th March [ Electric Wave ] Ranch Night Surfing with Steph / Coco / Leah

&feature=emb_logo

21st March [ Surfboard Testing ] at Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch

31 March [ John John travels to Kelly's Wave Pool ] (Winter 2020)

2 April [ Best Day of my Life ]

2 April [ Toledo ] Shreds thru the Mist

3rd April - US (Official) Olympic training Wave Pool Closes >
Team USA default HQ > The Ranch?

6th April - Kelly's Signature (Ultimate Teen Dream Bed Suites)
https://www.pbteen.com/shop/new/kelly-slater-shop/?cm_src=OLDLINK&Kensho...
https://beachgrit.com/2020/04/quarantine-in-style-worlds-greatest-surfer...

10th April- Inside Kelly Slater's Wave Ranch (Tech heads Tour + Stats) luv the Track.

16 April -The Outlier - Mid length Thunderbolt (Goofy on Left)

&feature=emb_logo

18 April - Hawaii Beaches Close > Florida Beaches Open
(Ranch / Team USA dodged the Lockdown)

19 April - Thunderbolt (Natural on Right)

20th April - Outlaws Kelly & Leo Crash Lennox Head during Lockdown.
https://beachgrit.com/2020/04/report-from-lennox-kelly-slater-and-leo-fi...

21 April - GOAT ...Q&A
https://www.surfer.com/features/kelly-slater-talks-magic-boards-first-pe...

22nd April Goat caught out ! NSW Quarantine Breach?
https://beachgrit.com/2020/04/report-from-lennox-kelly-slater-and-leo-fi...

24 April - Meet the Man Behind Surf Ranch
https://losangeleno.com/people/adam-fincham/

3rd May- Listen: "Kelly Slater has done more damage to the Earth than an single non polician of the last decade."
https://beachgrit.com/2020/05/listen-kelly-slater-has-done-more-damage-t...

7th May- (Song) When I feel Trouble by Kelly Slater + All in Challenge

22nd May - Kelly surfs Avalon
https://www.facebook.com/abcinsydney/videos/kelly-slater-takes-on-avalon...

27th May- Skate overlord Tony Hawk bosses the Ranch


14th / 18th June Dave Boehne (Goof + SUP) Rare old school Left Vidz


4th July Here & Now (Angus + Kelly's whistlin' tune)

10th July ABC News - Kelly Interview
https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/video/surfer-kelly-slater-talks-pivot...

13th July Luan Ir Na / Kelly tandem.

16th July Papi's 50th Jam Session

8th Aug -Warm Up > Rumble in the Ranch
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/454367/take-the-first-look-at-surf...

9th August - Rumble in he Ranch

&feature=emb_logo
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2020/spec/3504/rumble-at-the-ranch

16-19 Sept- Michelob Ultra Pure Gold Pro (see above Rumble)

philosurphizingkerching's picture
philosurphizingkerching's picture
philosurphizing... Sunday, 5 Apr 2020 at 12:44pm

Not much social distancing on John John John Johns party wave

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Wednesday, 5 Aug 2020 at 3:54pm

23rd Sept 2019 ~ swellnet Stu: "One way or another the CT will be at Lemoore in 2020!"

Salute #1 swellnet Stu...very few were keen to lock in the Wrecker'z Yard as spot X.
Ranch never locked down & was ever good to go... just as our Guru foretold.
Ranch Curtain Raiser Film Festival (above) is dedicated to world's best Surf Journo Stu!
Stu's Gurus present Ranch Movie Marathon...enjoy!

Ranch Rumble Heat Draw
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2020/spec/3504/rumble-at-the-ranc...