Wavegarden’s Full-Scale ‘Cove’ Technology Revealed At England’s First Functioning Wavepool

It’s here!

The first full-scale version of Wavegarden’s ‘Cove’ technology. And if you’re a skeptic, your first thought might be, “Hmmm, it’s still kinda… small?”

It remains unclear whether or not that instinct is correct. While the waves in this video appear to be around the same size as those in Wavegarden’s test pool, there are a few points to consider. 

1. The video description reveals that they are “Still playing with the pool settings,” so it’s possible that, like with the Yeppoon pool last October, they’ve yet to max out the pool’s power meter.

2. There are no surfers in the pool to provide a size reference, and

3. Wavegarden says that its Cove tech can create waves up to 2 meters (or 6.5 feet) in height. As we’ve learned from Yeppoon, scientists’ wave measurements don’t exactly align with those of most surfers’, meaning that a 2 meter wave might only be “chest-high” to skeptics or “knee-high” to Hawaiians. 

Now, the positives. 

The Bristol pool (aka The Wave) is pumping out long, multidirectional waves in rapid succession. This is an obvious upgrade from the Wavegarden test site, which provides just single-directional, relatively short rides. 

They also opened the pool in time for the English surf team to prepare for Tokyo 2020, which will be huge for Reubyn Ash’s Olympic campaign. 

Who wore it best?

More as the waves develop.