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January 24, 2006
How-to Surf Indoors - Video
More video footage on indoor surfing. This is a quick how-to.
To view this you will need Quicktime: Download here
320x240, Streaming MP4, 15MB, 5min, 512kbps
Click on the image to start the video.
If you can't see the image, download the video here:
http://wavecave.com/video/how-to-surf-indoors.mp4
Posted by erik at 06:49 PM | Comments (0)
Making Progress
We have narrowed down the locations now to 3 possibles:
1. Coquitlam - near United Blvd.
2. North Van - just on north side of Second Narrows bridge
3. Richmond - near RDS skatepark
Take the SURVEY and use the comments section at the bottom of the form to let us know where you want this thing.
Posted by erik at 03:50 PM | Comments (0)
January 21, 2006
Flatland Skim Videos
For those of you who have not seen much Skimboarding, here is a link to some great videos.
Take the SURVEY, let's build this indoors!
Posted by erik at 09:41 AM | Comments (0)
January 20, 2006
Update: Features Shortlist & Location
Standing Wave in Action!
Click on this image to start the video.
Wave Cave Features:
Here is what we are seeing as the most sought after attractions for the first Wave Cave facility:
1. Indoor Standing/Surfing Wave
2. Indoor Skimboard Park
3. Indoor Climbing/Rock Wall
Location:
To house all of this plus a concession, change rooms, showers etc. will take up nearly 15,000 square feet. Since this is zoned as recreation and includes a pool, it will be very difficult to get any municipality to allow it in an industrial area, therefore warehouses are pretty much out of the picture.
The best complex we have found where there is suitable space available is the Riverport Sports Complex (http://riverport.ca) near the RDS skatepark (http://rdsskatepark.com).
Tell us what you think! Fill out the survey and send us your comments!
Posted by erik at 01:40 PM | Comments (0)
January 18, 2006
Skimboard Park - #2
So after a large number of submissions to the survey in the last 2 days, a Skimboard Park is now the most chosen feature to accompany the Standing Wave at the Wave Cave. For more on Skim Boarding, check out Skull Skates..
http://skullskates.com/skimboardcity/main.html
We have looked a quite a few warehouses and spaces for this indoor surfing facility and now we are starting a short list of areas. Here is what we have so far: North Van (3 blocks from Sea Bus), False Creek Flats (Main and Terminal), North Burnaby (Willingdon and Lougheed), Coquitlam (United Blvd), and Richmond.
Take the survey, use the Comments section at the bottom and tell us where you want this thing!
Posted by erik at 09:15 PM | Comments (0)
January 16, 2006
Wave Cave Features - Short List
For those of you who have filled out the survey (80 and counting) it looks like the most popular additional features requested are 1) Indoor Climbing Wall, 2) Indoor Skate Park.
What do you want to see at the Wave Cave?
Posted by erik at 11:35 AM | Comments (0)
January 12, 2006
What is Indoor Wakeboarding?
A question being asked by some of you filling out the survey. Below is a very short clip of indoor wakeboarding. This is basically what we are would be putting in the Wave Cave. We would add some obstacles e.g. Sliders, Rails, etc. that are anchored but can be moved/removed to suit each rider. The pool will be about 60 feet wide and about 200 feet long.
320x240, Streaming MP4, 345KB, 10 secs, 512kbps
Click on the image to start the video.
If you can't see the image, download the video here:
http://wavecave.com/video/indoorwake1.mp4
Posted by erik at 11:54 AM | Comments (0)
January 11, 2006
Wave Cave Survey - update
Wow! The response we have had on the Wave Cave survey is truly inspiring! The survey has only been live for just under a week and we have already had more than 60 credible responses, that's more than 10 per day! Your local support for this facility is becoming clear. If this keeps up you can look forward to surfing right here in the Lower Mainland very soon!
Thank you for your support! Keep it coming!
Posted by erik at 09:02 AM | Comments (0)
January 05, 2006
Wave Cave Survey - help us bring indoor Surfing to Vancouver
In order to assemble some potential Wave Cave user data we have assembled an online survey. By filling out this survey you will be bringing us that much closer to launch.
We will be giving away a FREE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP so be sure to include your Name, Phone Number and Email address, there is no obligation to purchase anything.
Take the survey, let's get this thing going already! Click Here.
Posted by erik at 08:22 PM | Comments (0)
January 04, 2006
Flowrider Video
So this is what we would be putting in the Wave Cave, pretty sick.
240x180, Streaming MP4, 2.2MB, 1min, 384kbps
Click on the image to start the video.
If you can't see the image, download the video here:
http://wavecave.com/video/flowrider.mp4
Posted by erik at 12:52 PM | Comments (0)
January 01, 2006
Indoor Surfing Comes to BC
Constructing an indoor surf park in Vancouver has been bouncing around in my head for a couple of years. A standing wave where beginners to advanced riders could surf anytime they wanted. Well, I have decided that 2006 will be the year that I either pursue this dream or drop it altogether.
First things first, I needed a name. I came up with "Wave Cave", a fitting name for an indoor surf park... me thinks.
Over the next few months I will be completing my market research and plugging in the real revenue numbers answering questions like.. "Can a stand alone surf pool make it in BC and where?".
I have had several good discussions with Lew Wemple over at ADG, the N.A. distributor for Flowrider, and Andrew Thatcher at Wave Loch. They provided me with some great information. Now I have the minimum operating costs and cost for the equipment. By researching others operating the equipment and seeing what they are charging, I can put together the basis of a revenue Performa spreadsheet. They also provided some much needed insight into what makes a Flowrider attraction so appealing.
Duncan City is also looking into this indoor surf pool concept, tossing around the idea of bringing on a Flowrider. Flowriders are pretty much the de-facto standing wave for body boarding an surfing these days and will probably be what ends up in the Wave Cave concept I have. In this news clip they mentioned it would not be ready for another 2 years, considering that was published around April 2005 that would mean Spring/Summer 2007.
There is a Flowrider being installed on a Royal Caribbean Cruise ship and their ad campaign has certainly helped raise awareness.
The Flowrider is not the only Surf park attraction that is gaining momentum. Kerry Black founding director at ASR has landed a massive deal in building a huge surf park in Orlando. CNN covered it back in July '05. With the help from a few investors and their 9+ Million bucks the Ron Jon Surf Park is soon becoming a reality.
For what I am looking to do the Flowrider seems to make the most sense.
It's going to be fun traveling around to the standing waves, surf parks, beaches and shops to complete this initial research. I hope to include some podcasts of recorded interviews and phone conversations here as I make my rounds.
Posted by erik at 04:25 PM | Comments (0)