The Wave Source

Overview

The Wave Source test pool was a proof-of-concept for a novel pneumatic wave generation system.

The challenge

The Wave Source project required the development of a wave pool capable of producing a wide range of surfable wave conditions, from beginner-friendly rides to high-performance waves suitable for professional surfers. Unlike many engineered systems, wave quality cannot be fully defined by conventional specifications alone; it is ultimately judged by the subjective experience of the surfer.

This created a unique controls and systems engineering challenge: designing a platform that could make precise, on-demand adjustments to wave characteristics while delivering consistent, repeatable performance. At the same time, the solution needed to be practical to manufacture, deploy, and operate within real-world budget and schedule constraints.

What we did

• Developed the functional spec with the client, translating surfing objectives into measurable pool requirements
• Engineered the pool structure, wave-generation system, and water management around those requirements
• Simulated the multi-phase pneumatic events and resulting wave dynamics with CFD
• Managed the on-site fabrication and construction, keeping design intent intact
• Instrumented the facility so every run produces clean, comparable data
• Developed the frontend software interface for iterating wave parameters

Outcome

A full scale test pool that produces repeatable wave conditions on demand, turning what used to be ocean-schedule-dependent testing into a controlled, instrumented process. Watch The Wave Source in action.