Surfing
Are the longest man-made waves on the planet as good as the real thing?
Wow, this thing is huge...
...and it’s never going to work.
That’s what I thought when I heard about Surf Snowdonia, a new inland surfing facility that promises to deliver a ‘perfect peeling wave’ every minute.
Artificial waves have had a choppy history
Artificial surfing has long been littered with failures – just look at Bournemouth’s £3.2 million, man-made reef that hasn’t produced a rideable wave since it opened in 2009.
Artificial surfing has long been littered with failures
As if to prove my point, when I arrive in the village of Dolgarrog, North Wales, the 300-metre-long lagoon in the middle of the Surf Snowdonia site is as flat as a pancake. Surfers bob on their boards, surrounded by mountains and calm water, looking around at each other as though waiting to see who will be first to crack and give up.
But then, a machine grunts and a wave erupts from the water, a small ripple that swells into a steep, two-metre-high crest. The surfers are up and ripping along the glassy face before I can say ‘surf’s up’.
Revolutionising surfing?
“It really is the cleanest wave every time,” says my instructor Leticia Hooper, handing me a wetsuit and board for our one-hour lesson.
There’s no waiting around for perfect conditions and, unlike many beaches, it’s easy to get to and from the water
We wade into the waist-high lagoon (it feels odd having lino, instead of sand, beneath my feet) and Leticia points out one of her colleagues who left amazing surf conditions in his native Australia to teach here.
This is the most exciting thing happening in surfing
“This is the most exciting thing happening in surfing and there’s nowhere else you can do it. People from all over the world want to be part of it,” Leticia says.
Vice-president of the International Surfing Association, Casper Steinfath, agrees.
“It’s a game changer,” the two-time stand-up paddleboard world champion tells me.
“Creating consistent waves in landlocked areas means surfing could be considered as an Olympic sport.”
The longest man-made wave on the planet
The wave is generated by WaveGarden technology – an underwater snowplough that moves back and forth beneath a central pier. Up to 36 surfers, kayakers and stand-up paddle boarders can catch waves on either side at one time.
And the best thing? Not only are these the longest man-made waves on the planet (with rides of up to 20 seconds), but they are also suitable for all abilities. The closer you are to the pier, the bigger the wave, so beginners stick to the outskirts to catch smaller breakers.
Face-planting is a whole new experience
In the sea, I usually get pummelled by white water, half-terrified as I desperately try to make it out back. But here, a few casual strokes takes me to my place in the line-up. My hair’s not even wet - this isn’t normal.
My hair’s not even wet – this isn’t normal
Lying on my board, I hear the metallic rattle as the plough groans into action and a wall of water builds, suddenly looming large behind me.
“Paddle!” shouts Leticia. So I do, face-planting shortly after and strangely tasting fresh water instead of salt.
But no matter – there’ll be another wave in a couple of minutes, the scenery’s beautiful and my arms feel fresher than in regular surfing.
The break between waves is a welcome relief that you don’t get at the coast – there’s no duck-diving here – and it’s the perfect time for coaching.
“Pretend you’re in the sea,” Leticia instructs as I spin my board around for another attempt. “Relax, and enjoy the ride.”
The roar of water and machinery announces another wave and I paddle harder than before, feeling the board accelerate and drop down the rising face. For a moment, the board is weightless, then suddenly I’m up on my feet, gliding across the most perfectly-formed wall of moving water.
I catch wave after wave – it’s more successful than any hour I’ve had in the sea.
And that can only be a good thing.
Why not try it yourself?
The Wavegarden at Surf Snowdonia operates from 10.00am until sunset, and the park will be open from 8.30am to 11pm, seven days a week. Catch a wave from £19. See www.surfsnowdonia.co.uk for more.
Are you a surfing purist or are you happy to try an artificial wave? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
Ellie Ross is a lover of all things snow, surf, fitness and outdoors @EllieLRoss