The World Surf League has been on the lookout for a location for Kelly Slater’s next surf ranch and it appears the Sunshine Coast is under serious consideration for the $100-million development, specifically Coolum, the “surfing mecca” of the Coast.
If approved, the proposed multi-million dollar surf ranch is going to be the first of its kind not just in Queensland but in Australia. There are talks that the artificial wave pool will have the same features as Slater’s first surf ranch located in Lemoore, California that comes with tourism facilities.
Having Slater’s surf ranch in Coolum is also expected to be a huge attraction in the coastal suburb. The beach is only a 10-minute drive from the Sunshine Coast Airport at Maroochydoore and only half an hour away from Brisbane. In the coming weeks, WSL is planning to talk to the Coolum community to discuss the concepts of the surf ranch, and to get to know what they think of this project.
Slater’s surf ranch in California has proven to be a success as it was chosen as the venue of the 2018 WSL Founders Cup. The $30 million surf ranch counts on hydrofoils to make artificial waves rise up over the rectangular pool.
The surf ranch is a hundred percent solar-powered, which is an environment-friendly way of building man-made waves. It’s just one of the many ways the legendary surfer has shown his concern for the ocean and beaches. In June 2019, he took part in the WSL “Stop Trashing Waves” campaign to raise awareness of environmental issues.
In addition to the surf ranch in Australia, Kelly Slater Wave Pool Company is planning more man-made wave pools in the years to come, with Brazil and Japan as the possible locations.