The Boardshop Guide To The Wave Bristol

The Boardshop Team were stoked to take over our nearest wave pool The Wave, Bristol for the day recently and we have decided to help you to prepare for your own Wave Pool session by creating the ultimate guide to surfing The Wave.

Read on to learn more about The Wave, see what boards we suggest taking, what we rode, who got barrelled (or at least tried to) and the best wipe outs of the day!

What Is A Wave Pool?

For those not familiar with them, wave pools are man-made pools with artificially generated waves, meant to imitate those found in the ocean. If you haven’t been to one, we highly recommend going; they are great fun!

Believe it or not, Wave Pools have been around since the 1800s! Wave pool technology has developed a lot over recent years and thankfully, when we think of wave pools now, our minds conjure up images of Kelly getting barrelled at The Wave Ranch rather than visions of rubber ring clad tourists doing Mexican waves.

Modern day engineers & surfers have come together to take the wave pool concept; develop, and perfect this to create the ultimate inland Surfer’s playground. Wave pools can now be found all around the world with a variety of different artificial waves suitable for everyone whatever their surfing ability.

The Wave Pool, Bristol

In 2010, Nick Hounsfield and Craig Stoddart joined forces, inspired by the healing power of the ocean to create an amazing, natural space where people of all ages and abilities could come together and share the stoke of surfing.

Nick & Craig ended up creating an amazing 180m long surf-lake with Wavegarden Cove technology which enables them to create over 1000 waves an hour from 1.7ft to 6.5ft!... heaven!

The Wave, suitable for all abilities thanks to the variety of different sessions, has proved to be a haven for land locked surfers and a blessing during flat spells. Whether you are a beginner surfer, wanting to catch your first wave or a seasoned surfer, looking to test your skills on their expert wave, there is a session to suit you.

What Makes A Surfboard Suitable For The Wave?

As the environment at the Wave is quite different to the ocean, to ensure you have the best time and catch as any waves as possible, you will need to consider a few different factors when deciding what board to take with you.

The Boardshop Crew

Board Shape:

As the larger waves tend to be quite steep, and the take-off at the wave is similar to surfing next to a harbour wall, we advise choosing going for a board outline that packs more volume and has less length.

Ultimately, you want to avoid nose diving on your take off or dinging the nose of board on the wall.

Board Volume:

When you get in the water with your trusty stick, you may notice you sit slightly lower in the water than usual and worry that you have gained a few pounds, but don’t fear.

There is some simple science behind this slight sinking feeling; as the water in a wave pool is fresh, it is less dense than salt water which means that you and your board will not have as much float.

Jack getting the barrel vision giving it a head dip.

The freshwater and the frequency of waves mean you will be likely be paddling a lot more than usual in your average 1 hour session, so volume is your friend at The Wave. We recommend taking a board with a bit more volume to compensate for the buoyancy difference.

As well as the salinity difference, water temperature also affects your buoyancy in the pool. When the water is colder during Winter, you will float more (plus you will likely be wearing a thicker wetsuit which will also add some float) whereas in warmer water in the Summer, you will be slightly less buoyant.

A board with more volume will enable you to paddle faster and avoid you missing waves which is crucial when you only have so many attempts to catch a wave and want to make the most of your session!

FORM Surfboards Team Rider, Soph

As explained above, a board with more volume will be better to take for your session at the freshwater lakes at The Wave.

Another way to go for more volume without changing the profile of your board drastically is to go for a lighter weight Epoxy board. A lot of the hire boards at The Wave are epoxy construction so if you don’t own one you can always hire one of their boards.

Foam surfboards are also great as they pack loads of extra volume into smaller profiles.

Board Rocker & Tail Shape:

We surfed the Advanced Wave and found that slightly wider boards with flatter entry rockers helped to get on the wave as early as possible and helped to maintain speed whilst on the wave. Having a smaller, slightly pulled in tail is also a benefit as this will help to fit the board in the tight pocket of the wave.

Top 10 Boards to Surf at The Wave Pool Bristol

So, what boards fit these criteria? We have compiled a list of the top 10 boards to take to the wave, scroll down to see what we recommend and why.

High Volume, Shorter Profile Surfboards

Firewire Helium Evo

Everything you read about riding boards in the wave pool, almost describes the EVO to a T. If you want a board that can be ridden short with higher volume, that can generate instant speed and perform manoeuvres, then the EVO is perfect for you.

The brainchild of Daniel Thompson and a best seller for 7-8 years now, this board is perfect for The Wave.

LOST Puddle Jumper

Originally designed as a small wave performance board, we are sure wave pools were never in Matt Biolos' mind when he designed this, but intentionally or not, he has created almost the perfect board for a wave pool.

A combo of wave entry, immediate speed, and the ability to throw the board around gives you everything you need in a board to take to The Wave. The PJ ticks every box.

Pyzel Gremlin

We are sure that if JJF or Jack Freestone were surfing The Wave, Bristol they would choose the Gremlin. This is an easy turning, performance model that thrives in smaller waves with good shape to them, which is what you get on repeat at The Wave.

This board is a favourite among many already, and a great option for anyone wanting a board suitable for most of the settings at the Wave Pool.

LOST x MR Cali Twin

Grab one of these boards, stick in a 2+1 fin set up, like the FCS II MR Twin Fin plus stabiliser and you will love it.

When Matt Biolos and Mark Richards collaborate on any board, you just know it is going to be good. With the Cali Twin you get a board that glides into waves, and thanks to the subtle influences of both shapers, you also get a board that can whip!

The little wing on the tail gives a break point to pivot from and the rail and outline keep speed and flow in the board. This is another board that has been tried and tested in wave pools all over the world.

FORM ADPT

The ADPT is the Swiss Army Knife of Surfboards which makes it perfect for a Wave Pool board. If you are surfing the Intermediate Wave, set this up as a twin fin with the FCS Power Twins; it will fly and will be so much fun.

For the Advanced or Advanced Plus Wave use a 2+1 one set, keep the Power Twins in and add a small stabiliser fin. This will give you extra hold and a better point to turn off.

If you take on the expert wave, switch this to a normal thruster set up and you have hold and control… This board can do it all! Performance Surfboards

FORM Stokestik

Brand new, from the minds of Alan Stokes and Luke Hart, this board screams fun and has a shape that looks carbon cut for a wave pool.

This board is a speed machine; you can throw this board around, get progressive with your surfing and still feel comfortable all at the same time. Alan has tested this on the Advanced Plus Wave and said it is the most fun he has had at The Wave. Get one!

Channel Islands Neckbeard III

If you are looking for a board to take on the Advanced Plus or the Expert Wave, this could be the ideal model for you.

The shape and style resemble the all-time great: Hayden Shapes Hypto Krypto. With a touch more rocker, and a slightly wider tail, the Neckbeard 3 gives you great paddle entry. You can also take steep drops and control the board whilst also being able to sit in the pocket and attack the wave.

LOST Uber Driver XL

This board is made for the surfer who knows what they are doing but wants extra paddle speed and wave catching without the sacrifice of performance and manoeuvrability.

The Uber Driver XL works in any setting, but it really excels in the Advanced Wave! Take off, pick a spot and whack the section.

LOST Sub Driver 2.0

Since LOST released the original Sub Driver, it has the been known as a board to give you ultimate performance in even the smaller, weaker wave. The Sub Driver 2.0 has taken all these attributes and developed the board into an even better small wave weapon!

Designed in San Clemente, this board lives for small to average waves and works for high level surfers as well as us average surfers too.

Channel Islands Ultra Joe

Born from the DNA of the small wave machine that was the Average Joe, this little rocket is unreal in a wave pool setting.

This board will make the take-off feel cruisy. You will get an injection of speed right off the bat, so you can set a rail line and drive into your first section, but most importantly you will carry speed out of your manoeuvre which is vital in the pool.

This board can also be surfed short to fit into the pockets of the wave.

Foamies

Softech Flash

The concrete floor and walls at The Wave can be intimidating, and if you want a board that can hold up to taking hits without compromise, then the Flash is the answer.

With rails close to a performance board and the speed into waves and ease of a foam board, it is hard to beat the Softech Flash.

JJF By Pyzel Astro Fish

Now this is a soft top that has raised the bar. In your hands, the outline and rail profile feel sharp and progressive, but the distribution of foam equate to a board that can go in literally any wave pool setting.

This makes paddling in and taking off easy and once you are up and ridding you can start tagging sections with turns and get the rail engaged. This is an awesome wave pool board.

Catch Surf Skipper Quad

We have all seen what JOB can do on these, and now you can also start to pull into hollow end sections of waves and try to get barrelled.

Catch Surf have given the Skipper Quad a HUGE amount of foam through the middle of the board, so this will move like a speed boat when you are paddling into waves.

The foam also foils nicely down towards the rail though, which gives you the ability to sink these into the waves to get the board turning and flying down the line.

Surfworx Ribeye

If you happen to visit our local break in the Summer, you are likely to see a tall, very tanned man surfing a black foam board. That man would be Ian, one of the Directors here.

This proves how good this board is… Ian could choose to surf any board, but he rides these!

Their construction is solid, and the rail profile and outline allow the board to work its way into waves, go rail to rail and ultimately go fast, allowing you to have loads of much fun.

The Surfworx Ribeye works so well in the wave pool and if you opt for one you can be just like Ian!

CBC Sushi Fish

By now, you may have noticed a trend: short, wide boards are the order of the day for The Wave pool.

The CBC Sushi Fish fits these criteria. Heaps of float and paddle speed to get you into every wave so none are wasted, and you can get over any flat section, making the most of every ride.

The Sushi is another awesome foam board to take to The Wave.

What Boards Did We Take?

We surfed The Advanced Wave and rode both the left and right side. Typically, those that surf goofy preferred riding the left and those who surf regular preferred the right. Scroll down to see what boards we were surfing:

Ian: Firewire Evo 5ft 8

There was no doubt, he was always going to ride his trusted steed.The Firewire EVO found its way under Ian’s feet and he loved it! He spent the sessions hunting the smallest barrels and racing sections.

Roger: Album Lightbender 5ft 7

Wanting a small wave board with a decent amount of foam, Roger, who has 40 plus boards to choose from, dialled in his Album Lightbender at the wave pool. He was hitting sections front side and back side with head snaps that Tom Curren would be proud of!

Matt: Noller Emperor 6ft 6 & Noller Angry Mango 5ft 10

The test pilot for Noller Designs, Matt took on the wave taking the advice of going short and wide. He rode a Noller Designs Angry Mango on the right, for the left, he bucked the trend and rode a Noller Emperor…. it went like a dream! He is raving about both models.

Rich: Pyzel Gremlin 5ft 10

Boardshop’s Barbie took on the wave with both aggression and style. Riding his Pyzel Gremlin, he was able to flick spray with ease front side and back hand.

Frazer: Channel Islands Ultra Joe 6ft 2

Advised by Matt & Ian, Frazer took on the Wave Pool riding his new CI Ultra Joe and as usual, he was smiling from ear to ear! The paddle speed and entry into the wave allowed for a smooth and fast transition to start tackling the walls of the wave. He even managed to go left with no problem!

Jack: Channel Islands Neckbeard III 5ft 10

Jack surfs with style and always seems to be going in slow motion. He decided to surf the brand-new Neckbeard 3 from Channel Islands. The Neckbeard III flew, carried over flat sections and was able to find small pits too. We think it will be a long while until Jack has anything else under his feet.

Tom aka Chef: Mark Phipps Big Bad Egg 7ft 4

When you arrive at The Wave after destroying 3 Triple Cheeseburgers on the way, you need a board with plenty of float to help you catch waves, and a forgiving nature that won’t hinder your surf. That’s why Chef opted to take his trusty Big Bad Egg from Mark Phipps.

And finally, here are the outtakes from our sessions…Enjoy!

We hope this blog was useful and helped you to prepare for your session at The Wave! If you have any questions or would like any advice on what board to take, we are always happy to help! Just give us a call on 01243 674250 or pop us an email over to [email protected].