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World's largest surfing lagoon to be built in Korea

World's largest surfing lagoon to be built in Korea
An illustration of Turtle Island, with Wavegarden Cove visible on the right
An illustration of Turtle Island, with Wavegarden Cove visible on the right
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Wavegarden's patented wave-making machinery will reportedly be capable of generating up to 1,000 "ocean-like" waves per hour
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Wavegarden's patented wave-making machinery will reportedly be capable of generating up to 1,000 "ocean-like" waves per hour
An illustration of Turtle Island, with Wavegarden Cove visible on the right
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An illustration of Turtle Island, with Wavegarden Cove visible on the right

Wavegarden has already started construction on artificial surf parks in the UK and Australia, with others in the works. Now the Spanish firm is taking things up a notch, as it's begun development on a Korean project that will reportedly be the world's largest surfing lagoon.

Known as Wavegarden Cove, the lagoon will be the centerpiece of the new €2.1 billion (~US$2.4 billion) Turtle Island attraction, located about an hour's drive from Seoul in the South Korean province of Gyeonggi. Built on land reclaimed from the ocean, Turtle Island will also feature hotels, convention centers and marinas.

Wavegarden's patented wave-making machinery will reportedly be capable of generating up to 1,000 "ocean-like" waves per hour
Wavegarden's patented wave-making machinery will reportedly be capable of generating up to 1,000 "ocean-like" waves per hour

Plans call for the lagoon to incorporate multiple surfing areas, each of which will have waves of different sizes, shapes and strengths for surfers of various skill levels (the photo above is from an existing Wavegarden facility).

Snow plow-like "wavefoils" will move back and forth on underwater tracks, generating up to 1,000 "ocean-like" waves per hour. Some of the energy generated by those waves will be recovered in order to minimize electricity use, and to help power the water treatment system.

Turtle Island was officially announced last November, and is being built by Korean theme park developer Daewon Plus Construction. It is scheduled to open in 2020.

Source: Wavegarden

3 comments
3 comments
rude.dawg
Surfing used to connect you with nature, man. Now it's all about the $$$, dude.
martinkopplow
The waves being different everywhere and everytime is part of the surfer mindset. It is an integral part of the experience. And, last but not least, waves are free!
Aladdin Connolly
This is perfect for learning to surf. With consistent repeatable learning options. After someone has the knack, of course they will want to ride natures waves.