Surfing legend Kelly Slater has pioneered a revolutionary new artificial wave in Lemoore, central California -- 100 miles from the coast.
Surfing legend Kelly Slater has pioneered a revolutionary new artificial wave in Lemoore, central California -- 100 miles from the coast.
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The 11-time world champion's vision has been 10 years in the making but was publically unveiled at the World Surf League's Founders' Cup event recently.
The 11-time world champion's vision has been 10 years in the making but was publically unveiled at the World Surf League's Founders' Cup event recently.
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The Surf Ranch features the world's longest open-barrel artificial wave and is a "game changer," according to WSL chief executive Sophie Goldschmidt.
The Surf Ranch features the world's longest open-barrel artificial wave and is a "game changer," according to WSL chief executive Sophie Goldschmidt.
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A giant hydrofoil thundering along the 2,000-foot pool's edge pushes up water sculpted by computer-designed bottom contours into picture-perfect waves.
A giant hydrofoil thundering along the 2,000-foot pool's edge pushes up water sculpted by computer-designed bottom contours into picture-perfect waves.
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The Founders' Cup brought together 25 of the best male and female surfers in the world to compete in a team format to showcase the Surf Ranch. Johanne Defay (pictured) competed for France.
The Founders' Cup brought together 25 of the best male and female surfers in the world to compete in a team format to showcase the Surf Ranch. Johanne Defay (pictured) competed for France.
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The wave was the brainchild of Slater and fluid dynamics specialist Adam Fincham, an associate professor of engineering at USC. They studied waves in the wild and applied science in the quest to produce perfect, repeatable waves.
The wave was the brainchild of Slater and fluid dynamics specialist Adam Fincham, an associate professor of engineering at USC. They studied waves in the wild and applied science in the quest to produce perfect, repeatable waves.
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"Is this the best thing ever or is it opening some weird door we can't shut? Will people love it or hate us for it?" Slater wrote on Instagram ahead of the Founders' Cup.
"Is this the best thing ever or is it opening some weird door we can't shut? Will people love it or hate us for it?" Slater wrote on Instagram ahead of the Founders' Cup.
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Goldschmidt says the wave will push performance boundaries significantly, and emulate disciplines such as the halfpipe in snowboarding and skiing.
Goldschmidt says the wave will push performance boundaries significantly, and emulate disciplines such as the halfpipe in snowboarding and skiing.
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"Surfing has always been very innovative and pioneering...so I think this is a natural evolution" -- WSL chief executive Sophie Goldschmidt.
"Surfing has always been very innovative and pioneering...so I think this is a natural evolution" -- WSL chief executive Sophie Goldschmidt.
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Critics worry the wave will strip surfing of its soul. Slater, who has won multiple contests at waves such as Hawaii's iconic Pipeline (pictured), says "nothing will replace the ocean" and adds surfing can evolve with both.
Critics worry the wave will strip surfing of its soul. Slater, who has won multiple contests at waves such as Hawaii's iconic Pipeline (pictured), says "nothing will replace the ocean" and adds surfing can evolve with both.
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