Wave Pools, Golf & the Olympics

If someone told me 10 years ago that surfing was going to be an Olympic sport I would have been alive with laughter, merriment and sarcasm . No way could you guarantee the conditions in a ‘sport’ that is so geographically and meteorologically dependent, especially the sort of conditions that would be worthy an Olympic audience. The two things seemed to be mutually exclusive.

Then came the slow and tapered entrance of the wave pool.

Wave pools are nothing new, indeed they have, in some form or another, been around for 30-40 years, however, the newly customized and refined wave that spins off one of Mr Slater's wave pools is something to behold (apparently).

Having had a trusted contact visit the only example of Kelly's’ wave in the world quite recently I can say secondhand that this thing is the business. During the phone call in which he imparted  lots of information, he later told me I could not repeat in this article, I got the sense that he was just astonished at the quality, flexibility and customization of the phenomenonal wave.

It seems then, that the time has come. The WSL (World Surf League) have bought huge shares in the Kelly Slater Wave Company and look poised to be involved in the reality which will be wave pools hosting surfing in the next Olympics. It is really happening.

As an avid viewer of the Dream Tour (WSL), I would like to say I am intrigued, excited or even curious about the details. As it turns out, I have the feeling the whole thing will collapse like a flan in a cupboard. This subject has been thrashed around with people making valid points on either side, so why not get my two pence worth in as both a surfer and spectator.

For those of you who have ever watched a surfing event live, either on the webcast or on the beach at the location in question, you might agree with me that it is not the most (on the whole) exciting thing. I have seen many different competitions in different locations, and while it can be hugely mesmerizing, on the whole, it's kind of like watching a game of test cricket or watching paint dry. Let me point out that this does not stop me viewing as I am a geek and a surfer.

There are however, certain reasons that I still watch. Certain moments that I crave with a cerebral salivation. The moment when the biggest set of the day rolls on in and the chap with priority (it's his choice of wave next) needs the score, the moments when the ocean completely co-operates with heat scores and time frames. The wind angle might change allowing huge airs to become possible. The tide goes out making 'close-outs' and barrels look very similar. These are the reasons I watch because it's never over until its over.

Surfing contests are as much about wave selection, frequency and luck as actually what the surfers are able to do on the wave.Then there is the hype of a competition, the conditions, the swell. If Cloudbreak in Fiji is just about to get slammed by a 15ft swell in the competition date window then you can virtually taste the  excited agitation of the surfing world. The swell might not happen, it might never turn up. But it might, and that's enough, that is a big reason to tune in.

Let us now look at the wave pool competition which is suggested as being the Olympic representation of our 'sport'. The date and time are set. They turn the machine on. They control the wave height, all waves are the same, there is no tide, no wind, no change in wave shape, frequency, power. Athletes will no longer need to know a spot, the take off point, how it changes on different swell and sides. At the risk of repeating myself, it will always be the same. This (in my opinion) can not be a representation of our sport. This is golf. This is cricket. Hells,  fishing has more in common with my sport than this.

To me, what is suggested above is like surfing with all the fun sucked out of it, like a bland, anaemic version of the greatest feeling in the world. What is the reason for this? Money. So that we can be put into a certain time slot for the television or an audience to turn up for two hours and see the finals. The best argument that I have heard for this is that it would be 'good for the industry', which is great but it does not help the actual surfers. The guys that just surf every morning, buy boards from local shapers and get on with the rest of their lives.

I am not going to go on about this and I am not going to suggest that surfing should not be included, what I will ask that if this is the way it is going to be arranged maybe they should call it something else.

I will take your suggestions below. I thank you.