“This Is Exactly Like Surfing”: ‘First-Of-Its-Kind’ Artificial Wave Product Leaves Community Elated

Surfing is one of the most exciting sports out there. Flying through the choppy water on your surfboard is nothing short of a spiritual experience. In spite of the fun element, surfing can be a task sometimes. This is especially true for people who don’t live near the shore. Making a trip to the sea carting around all the heavy surfing equipment is no joke, just ask professional surfers.

Once upon a time, more than a decade and a half ago, Hāwea Flat product designer Ross McCarthy set out to change this problem and explore the possibility of surfing in one’s own backyard. Sounds impossible that such a dream would come true, right? Well, dreams did come true for Mr. McCarthy.

Surfing gets a one-of-its-kind invention

Ross McCarthy invented a product called ‘Your Wave’, which will now enable any surfer to catch a few waves in their very own backyard. We’ve got to love technology right? But how does one know if it actually works or not? Well, what is a better proof of concept than calling over some local surfers to try out the new product? According to Otago Daily Times, McCarthy did exactly that, and Katie Tsuyuki, Jamie Thompson, Phil Jones, and others were invited over to put the surf wave to the test.

Katie Tsuyuki declared the project to be a success and said, “This is exactly like surfing. You are being pushed by the wave. It is compact. Everyone can be here to cheer friends on. They can see what tricks you are doing … One session on this wave, could be worth a week of surfing [in the wild] … where you might only get to stand up a couple of times.” She also compared it to a wake surfing boat, and said, “This is bigger than anything a wakesurfing boat can put out.”

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Phil Jones, who hails from Albert Town, was also “very excited” to try out the contraption, and said, “I surfed his prototype in Dunedin years ago. It is good to see his dream come to fruition.” Jamie Thompson pointed out another advantage of having ‘Your Wave’ and said, “Eight out of 10 times you might miss out on a wave, but here you are guaranteed.” Thompson also indicated that it would save time and money for high-country surfers.

The story behind ‘Your Wave’

McCarthy started dreaming about ‘Your Wave’ when he was a 24-year-old Otago Polytechnic master’s degree graduate. McCarthy, who is now 39 years old, told Otago Daily Times, “I am not the greatest surfer in the world but I like wakeboarding and skiing. I was brought up with that and always loved water sports.” Therefore, Ross Mccarthy created a product that will change the world of surfing. What makes ‘Your Wave’ really special is that while other artificial surf waves have one standard wave, McCarthy’s product can be configured according to different needs.

This means that a beginner can learn to surf without being worried about reading the ocean. Another difference is that while other surf pools usually use a hard surface, McCarthy got the idea to use an inflatable one. He explained, saying, “I thought, wouldn’t be easier putting it on an inflatable structure that would hopefully make waves.” The first-ever prototype of the invention was made by McCarthy in Dunedin’s Birch St about 12 years ago. He then pitched it to investors and won a grant from Callaghan Innovation.

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In a few weeks, ‘Your Wave’ will be open to the public to try their hand at surfing. They will also be able to look at memberships. The inauguration of ‘Your Wave’ will mark a new beginning in the sport of surfing.