Facility providing a controlled environment for water sports

Abstract

A facility capable of hosting ocean water sports is situated in a geographic location that is accessible to spectators. The facility is capable of emulating the required ocean environment for a desired water sport within a water course, pool, or other large receptacle of water by use of scalable, non-interfering wave generators. Contemplated water sports range from offshore power boat racing to surfing. Location of the simulated environment enables sufficient spectator facilities in which admission may be controlled.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 632,222, filed Dec. 1, 2004.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to a facility for water sports. More particularly, the present invention is a simulated environment that reproduces water characteristics of certain natural sporting locations, while providing a controlled venue for spectators to view such water sports. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Sports or other entertainment events that rely on certain conditions found in large bodies of water are traditionally limited to suitable natural locations. In particular, sports that involve watercraft need considerable space located within these suitable bodies of water. Aside from the needs for space and open water, these locations provide environmental conditions that are suitable or customary for such sports. The energy transfer from winds and atmosphere create ocean ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to overcoming these deficiencies by bringing ocean water sports to spectators, thereby enhancing profitability and expanding appeal. In the present invention, a facility capable of hosting ocean water sports is situated in a geographic location that is accessible to spectators. Importantly, the facility is capable of emulating the required ocean environment for a desired water sport within a water course, pool, or other large receptacle of water by use of scalable, non-interfering wave generators.

Problems solved by technology

Sports or other entertainment events that rely on certain conditions found in large bodies of water are traditionally limited to suitable natural locations.

In particular, sports that involve watercraft need considerable space located within these suitable bodies of water.

On the other hand, a placid lake or pool would clearly be a poor environment for a surfing competition.

Offshore racers at speed often go airborne, exciting the fans and introducing an element of uncertainty and difficulty of control.

Because of these issues, spectators often must travel to remote locations to watch the sport.

In other cases, these locations may be inaccessible or impractical for many erstwhile enthusiasts.

Travel can be expensive and difficult to coordinate.

Accordingly, many ocean based sports are limited in commercial potential.

At the same time, the limited commercial potential for such sports inhibit the participation of teams or the creation of economically viable leagues to support such teams.

However, the practical constraints of safety, size, and weight would necessarily limit the size of any craft that could be placed within the well.

That is, sports or activities using larger watercraft, such as a power boat, would likely be unsuitable for this activity area.

Further, the show boat would be unable to create shore characteristics within the activity area while underway.

Thus, this invention offers some advantages over traditional show boats, but is unable to accommodate sports held in a variety of ocean environments.

Additionally, spectators and promoters would still face the expense and difficulties of waterborne travel for the spectators.

These inventions are directed to individual exercise activities in static water, and unfortunately do not contemplate the problems faced by organizers of spectator events.

When water is pumped or collected at a high point and allowed to run down the channel, the obstacles create disturbances in the flow similar to that of white water rapids.

However, the white water stadium is unable to provide ocean swells and breakers suitable for activities such as off shore power boat racing or surfing contests.

In addition, the water features require obstacles located within the area of activity.

In general, these efforts have been limited due to the limited size of the waves capable of being generated by conventional wave generating technologies.

Expanding the size of conventional wave generating technology can be costly, impracticable in some cases, or introduce new problems that would not be an issue for smaller wave pools.

However, the plow is located within the body of water where the activity is intended to occur, interfering with free motion and creating a safety hazard.

Of course, this approach relies on placing structure within the area of activity, limiting its usefulness for many activities.

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