Vitor Oliveira

Unit Surf Pool created a new technology that allows several surfers to ride the same wave simultaneously. One of the least profitable variables of a wave pool is the return on investment (ROI) the surf park owner gets per wave. The fact that surfing is based on the premise of one surfer per wave makes its resource - the wave - truly precious. While  surfers can ride unlimited waves for free in the ocean or at the Eisbach River because they're powered by Nature, in a wave pool, the site owner has to adjust the offer to the costs attached to "producing " an artificial wave. One of the main costs of the balance sheet is, obviously, energy. So, how can you optimize a wave pool to maximize its use? A player in the ever-growing static wave pool market might have unveiled the answer to this dilemma. The Concept of Dynamic Waves Unit Surf Pool , the German standing wave pool manufacturer from Cologne, unveiled a technology that generates multiple moving wave pockets ac...

If you're like most people, surfing is an aspirational sport you've always wanted to try, but it's getting easier to do that in freshwater lagoons around the world. Surf parks, part of the broader industry of surf-anchored real estate, are an emerging and innovative area of real estate development that creates surfing destinations inland, in some cases hundreds of miles away from the ocean. These crystal clear pools are designed to bring perfect waves, residential housing, and high-end hospitality experiences that attract repeat visitors at a higher rate than even ski mountains. This niche but rapidly growing industry isn't just a pipe dream. Experts estimate this market to be a $4 billion industry today, expanding at 20 percent plus Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) per year, with facilities already in operation around the world, from Melbourne, Australia (Urbnsurf) to Waco, Texas (Waco Surf) to multiple European destinations like Munich, Germany (o2 SurfTown MUC...

Surf Abu Dhabi is home to the world's longest artificial wave ride, the highest human-made wave, and the largest barrel breaking in an enclosed water body. It is located on Hudayriyat Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Interestingly, Surf Abu Dhabi is not UAE or Middle East's first wave pool. The first surf lagoon in the region was Wadi Adventure, later renamed Al Ain Adventure, and opened in 2011, surrounded by desert sand, 170 kilometers away from Abu Dhabi. The planning for Abu Dhabi's inaugural outdoor wave pool started in 2019 and was kept secret for several years, despite visible traces of what could be the construction of a surf facility on Google Maps. In five years, the team worked on fine-tuning the basin and upgrading the original wave-generating formula developed by Kelly Slater Wave Co. (KSWC), a World Surf League (WSL) owned company. In June 2023, KSWC formally announced the licensing of its technology to Surf Abu Dhabi. The facility in UA...

Throughout our lives, we're exposed to many situations involving large bodies of water. They can be as vast as the ocean or as small as a home pool, well, or tank. Therefore, knowing how to swim is one of the first things a human should learn and master. It's a survival skill that can save our lives or take us out of tricky and uncomfortable situations. So, the sooner children learn the basics of swimming, the better they will be prepared to deal with unexpected events and enjoy their time on the beach, in the surf, or in the pool. If, for any reason, a person finds themself in a dangerous or life-threatening situation, they can dramatically increase survival time using two fundamental swimming techniques. They are treading water and floating on your back in a star shape. Mastering these two self-lifesaving methods could make the difference between life and death. There's even a third advanced water survival technique/instinct called mammalian diving reflex that ...

In a heartbreaking and rare incident, Italian surfer and coach Giulia Manfrini, 36, lost her life after being impaled by a swordfish while surfing in Indonesia. The tragedy occurred on October 18, 2024, as she was surfing off Masokut Island, located in the Mentawai Islands , Indonesia. Manfrini was reportedly waiting for a wave at the Beng Bengs surf break when a swordfish suddenly leaped out of the water and struck her directly in the chest with its sharp, sword-like bill. The impact created a nearly two-inch-deep stab wound on the left side of her chest, according to medical reports obtained by The Standard. Despite immediate efforts to save her from the freak accident attack, the injuries proved fatal. A Shocking Tragedy The tragic event shocked the surfing community, as injuries caused by swordfish or needlefish are extremely rare, though not entirely unprecedented in the region. Witnesses to the incident, including fellow surfers and staff from a nearby resort, recounted t...

Over 30 surfers, skaters, and BMX riders participated in the inaugural Swatch Nines Surf in Waco, Texas. The unorthodox event, curated by Coco Ho, aimed to offer a creativity-fueled alternative to traditional extreme sports competitions. It invites athletes to try, test, and change their sports paradigm. It's an arena where anything is possible, including getting injured in the process. "We did a workshop six months ago to dream up the ramps and features, and now it is all coming to life," explained Coco Ho. "Everyone is investing so much energy and doing things that have never been done before; it's just endless laughs." "I think we're all a little bit out of breath and out of voice because we're sprinting around and laughing so much." Standout moments included breathtaking airs from Noah Beschen, Jacob Szekely, and Victor Bernardo, who were in the water more often than not. In the early hours of daylight, Noah Beschen set the bar ...

Surfers are among the social groups that spend more time under the sun. Whether they're just checking the waves, surfing, or chilling at the beach,  their sunlight exposure is above average. You've probably noticed dark spots or patches on your or others' skin. It's called hyperpigmentation, a skin condition that can affect anyone, especially those who spend extended periods under the sun, such as surfers. Hyperpigmentation takes place when random areas of the skin suddenly get darker than the surrounding skin due to an overproduction of the pigment that gives skin its color - melanin. So what does it look like? Hyperpigmentation presents as darker patches, spots, or areas on the skin. These can vary in size, from tiny freckles to larger patches. The condition can arise anywhere on the body but is more common in sun-exposed areas like the face, neck, arms, and hands. Types of Hyperpigmentation There are several forms of hyperpigmentation. The three main ones ar...

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has become the first British royal-blooded to ride the Surf Ranch wave pool in Lemoore, California. The younger son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales, added a new chapter to the surprisingly long list of surfing events in the British royal family. Tutored and backed by Raimana van Bastolaer, the resident surf coach at Kelly Slater Wave Company's Surf Ranch , Harry took off on a right-hander and surfed it to the end. The fifth in the line of succession to the British throne was even able to find a short cover under the transparent blue barrel. The truth is the Royal regular footer is no stranger to water sports and surfing in particular. In 2011, he planned his brother William's stag do. The celebration included a surf session at Speke's Mill , Devon, in southwest England. Harry, William, and their friends went bodyboarding one year later in Polzeath Beach, Cornwall. The former active senior member of the British royal...

I showed up on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, in September 1987. To be exact, on September 3. I had lived in the Islands, California, and Mexico since I was 16. It wasn't my first time visiting the North Shore, but it would be the first time I would live there. I ended up staying in the shack behind Jocko's mom's house. Jocko was one of the greatest surfing legends who ever glided his surfboard down a big wave. The Brazilian who usually rented the shack had family troubles and couldn't make it that year, and I was lucky enough to snag it. The Oliphants, Alec "Ace Cool" Cooke, and his wife Amanda were also there. There were two Doberman guard dogs on the property that were like the two on the TV show "Magnum P.I." so well trained they could be your best pal with one command or attack you, instead, with a different command. Lovely animals. I had an 8'3'' Mike Diffenderfer single-fin surfboard I brought with me. It was a thick Ca...

A Spanish surf company developed a wetsuit made entirely from 100 percent recycled rubber car tires. The 4/3 mm Roadcycled Wetsuit by Blue Banana uses components exclusively sourced from used Volkswagen auto tires. In other words, it is built with material that is obtained by transforming objects that have reached the end of their original life cycle into high-performance, functional products. "The Roadcycled Wetsuit not only represents an advance in material innovation but also gives visibility to a new way of surfing, where performance and respect for the environment can live together," notes Nacho Rivera, co-CEO of Blue Banana. The world's first Volkswagen rubber car tire-based wetsuit aims to perform like any other neoprene competitor. It was designed for cold to temperate waters (46-59 °F or 8-15 °C) and features reinforced waterproof seams, as well as strategically placed reinforcement strips that ensure protection and strength. The innovative wetsuit comes a...

Shahla Yasini is a woman like any other. The only thing that makes her special is the fact that she is Iran's first female surfer. Iran is a large country - the sixth largest in Asia, to be precise. With 90 million people, it's one of the world's oldest and most culturally rich continuous civilizations. The historical Persian territory situated in West Asia had its first urban settlements around 4,000 BC - that's before writing was invented. Iran is also the birthplace of polo and home to 28 cultural and natural UNESCO World Heritage sites. As one of the planet's most mountainous nations, it's no surprise that it is a go-to destination for snowboarders, skiers, and rock climbers. Actually, Iran is one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations. And if you think there are no opportunities for surfers, you might consider taking a look at the stunning southern Sistan and Baluchestan province, which borders the Gulf of Oman and connects with the Indian Ocea...

Music is one of humankind's greatest universal languages, capable of expressing emotions, telling stories, and connecting people across cultures and time. The world's largest music platforms have already announced having registered over 100 million songs in their databases. The overall number of musical compositions, though, should be much higher. A recent research concluded that the most popular word in song titles is "You," followed closely by "I." Then, the analysis concluded that the most used non-article, pronoun, or preposition is "Love," followed by "Time." These findings are probably not a surprise, and neither is the fact the most common themes in Billboard charting songs from 1960 to 2009 were the following: Breakup; Desire; Loss; Jadedness; Inspiration; Aspiration; Nostalgia; Pain; Desperation; Rebellion; Escapism; Confusion; Based on this data, it would be interesting to write a song titled "I Love Yo...