“It all started from a ripple really. I was throwing rocks into water with the kids when the idea hit me. What followed was a lot of research, looking at how nature makes waves, how one swell interacts with multiple reefs and beaches. Nature was the inspiration because we wanted the waves to be as natural as possible.”
An Indiegogo campaign helped fund a series of tests, starting in a backyard swimming pool, attempting to discover the best shape of device needed to create a credible wave. Pictured here is the 1:25th scale model.
From the pool to a 1:10th scale model on a farm where, with help from another of Surf Lakes’ founding directors (Dr Chris Hawley) they were able to produce a powered device that could generate well-shaped waves. This model was successful in attracting another founding director (Reuben Buchanan). Pictured here is the second prototype at a 1:10th scale.
Sufficient money was raised to produce a much larger, 1/5th scale model, on a property outside of Melbourne. The tests and the resultant photographs and video were successful, both technically and in attracting investors to the company. This process paved the way for the full-scale prototype in Yeppoon.
The success of the 1:5th scale site helped to secure a 15ha site in Yeppoon, Queensland, and the subsequent design and construction of our full-scale prototype. In the same year, Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo was engaged as Surf Industry Advisor and global interest in the technology grew further.
In 2018 sights were set on a target wave face of 2.4 metres. During Phase 2 testing this wave face height was achieved at The Island Level 5 break and ridden by Ben Player. In later tests, and after more tuning of the machine, it was realised that full stroke of the plunger and therefore full wave height had yet to be achieved. With this news business momentum continued with Exclusive Territory Agreements and licensees gained from Australia and around the world.
Further refining and phase 2 testing led to our target full size wave of 2.4m being achieved in 2019. The business momentum continued as well, signing further heads of agreements with licensees from Australia and around the world.
In August 2020 CWD stroke heights of 4.48 metres were achieved, producing waves at The Island and Occy’s Peak which were well over head. Coby Perkovich was first to tackle The Island left finding plenty of room to move in the well rounded barrels. The distribution of the video content created world wide excitement and a huge increase in licensee interest ensued.
Pumped (a mini-documentary), focused on 2020’s August/September sessions featuring interviews with participants amongst the incredible surfing images captured by the One Palm Media/Surf Lakes team. The video captivated the globe and sparked a surge of licensee and investor enquiries.
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Surf Lakes continued with testing, running successful locals demonstration days and selling Exclusive Territory Agreements in a number of locations in the USA. Surf Lakes also aligned with STOKE certification and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, partnering with these entities for positive change.
Emerging from lockdowns and travel bans, Surf Lakes shareholders and licensees visit Yeppoon’s demonstration site. New heights are reached in March with 4.8m CWD stroke height delivering thicker, rounder barrels. Development approval is granted to turn Yeppoon into a commercial site, Surf Lakes wins the innovation category at the Australian Surfing Awards, and more licenses are sold globally.
Following the successful approval of a Scheme of Arrangement process in late 2023 and full implementation as of January 2024, Surf Lakes Global, Inc., becomes the parent company for Surf Lakes. This provides access and momentum into the US market. Surf Lakes also unveiled renders of the commercial machine after a redesign.
