The world's best surfers competed in the first Red Bull Unleashed event. It's the first international surf competition to be held on artificial waves.
The world's best surfers competed in the first Red Bull Unleashed event. It's the first international surf competition to be held on artificial waves.
? Red Bull Media House
The event was watched by 2,000 eager surf fans in Dolgarrog, Conway, Wales.
The event was watched by 2,000 eager surf fans in Dolgarrog, Conway, Wales.
? Red Bull Media House
The artificial lagoon is a surfers paradise -- measuring 300 meters in length with a width of 110m.
The artificial lagoon is a surfers paradise -- measuring 300 meters in length with a width of 110m.
? Red Bull Media House
The wave machine is able to generate a 2m high wave every minute, which will peel for more than 150m. The pool can accommodate up to 36 surfers at a time.
The wave machine is able to generate a 2m high wave every minute, which will peel for more than 150m. The pool can accommodate up to 36 surfers at a time.
OLI SCARFF/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The facility opened in August on the site of a former aluminum factory. It was developed in Spain and cost more than $18m to produce.
The facility opened in August on the site of a former aluminum factory. It was developed in Spain and cost more than $18m to produce.
OLI SCARFF/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Albee Layer wins 'artificial wave' event

Story highlights

Surfers compete in the first international competition held on an artificial wave.

Event held at Surf Snowdonia, North Wales

Albee Layer beat Billy Stairmand in the final.

The pool cost $18.6m to develop

CNN  — 

Surfers face many challenges, perhaps most notably sharks, but some of the sport’s best proponents had to overcome a new test over the weekend in one of Britain’s most beautiful spots – negotiating artificial waves.

Best known for its mountains and hiking, Snowdonia in North Wales hosted Red Bull Unleashed – the first international surf competition held on an artificial wave – as 2,000 fans flocked to Dolgarrog, Conway.

The winner, 24-year-old Albee Layer, who beat Billy Stairmand in the final, clearly loved the artificial waves and the attempt by organizers to create a stadium-style event for surfing.

Avo surfing
Avo surfing

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“I didn’t know what to expect coming here,” said the Hawaiian.

“It’s been incredible! Surfing so close to so many people, music playing, heaps of energy in the air, to get the win is crazy. If more events were like this, I’d do them!” added Layer, who starred in his first film “Attractive Distractions” last year.

The new competition involves pairs of surfers going head-to-head in a best of five format and while critics of the idea might argue that it cannot recreate the ocean’s changing moods, the competition is set to return next year.

“How good is this event going to be next year?” competitor Ian Crane told the Red Bull website. “Can I sign up for 2016 yet? After this year everyone’s gonna (sic) want to come, I want to lock my entry in already!”

Surf Snowdonia, which uses WaveGarden technology, was developed and pioneered by a group of enthusiasts in San Sebastian, Spain.

The pool was built at a cost of $18.6 million on the site of a former aluminum factory.