- FlowRider
A FlowRider (or "Flow Rider") is an artificial sheet wave
surfing environment incorporated in manywaterpark s and hotels. It was originally invented by Tom Lochtefeld, a surfer, for theSchlitterbahn Waterpark Resort inNew Braunfels, Texas , in which a rider sides down a ramp on awakeboard into the curl of the wave. It uses an array of high-output waterpumps to produce a stationary sheet flow of water approximately 2 inches thick that flows over a fixed, foam-padded surface. Water recirculates through pumps located in a reservoir. The flowrider onboard Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas,Liberty of the Seas , andIndependence of the Seas shoots waves at 30 MPH, and shoots up to 60,000 gallons of water a minute.fact|date=September 2007 The Flow Rider is manufactured byWave Loch , Inc. ofLa Jolla ,California . There are currently more than 50 FlowRider installations around the globe.User equipment
Stand-up boards for FlowRiders were first developed by Carl Ekström. They are about the size of a small
wakeboard , since moving water requires less board surface area to maintain flotation. They do not useskeg s but instead use their edges to provide stability.Bodyboards for FlowRiders are rounded to afford enhanced maneuverability. Height restrictions of 58"/147cm(standing) and 52"/132cm (bodyboard) are required.Cruise ships offering the flowrider
Currently, there are three named ships offering the flowrider. The "Freedom of the Seas", which was the first to feature the flowrider on a ship, the "
Liberty of the Seas ", which was the second ship to ever feature the flowrider, and the "Independence of the Seas ", which is set for its maiden voyage in 2008.External links
* [http://www.vyuz.com/012306_Wave.htm Article: Profile of Tom Lochtefeld and WaveLoch]
* [http://www.waveloch.com/ WaveLoch Inc. site]
* [http://www.flowrider.com/ Official FlowRider® site]
* [http://www.wavehouse.com/home.asp Wave House San Diego, home of "Bruticus Maximus" offering 8'+ barrels]
* [http://www.wavehouse.co.za/ Wave House Durban, home of "D-Rex" 10' barrels left and right]
* [http://www.wavetheplanet.com/ Wave The Planet - Flowboarding community, news and info]
* [http://www.admit-one.net/webimages/wavehouse2.jpgImage of a FlowRider]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/flowrider/interesting/ Flickr photos tagged FlowRider]
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