A wave pool in use.

A wave pool is a type of swimming pool in which reasonably large waves are artificially generated. The idea of such a pool is generally to provide an experience more similar to swimming in the ocean than a typical swimming pool can provide. Wave pools are often a major feature of water parks. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2592x1944, 1008 KB) Picture taken by myself on 061806 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2592x1944, 1008 KB) Picture taken by myself on 061806 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... 50 meter indoor swimming pool A swimming pool, swimming bath, or wading pool is an artificially enclosed body of water intended for recreational or competitive swimming, diving, or for other bathing activities that involve swimming, e. ... A wave is a disturbance that propagates through space or spacetime, often transferring energy. ... Swimming is a technique that humans, and other animals, use to move through water using only movements of the body, for exercise, fun and competition. ... The worlds oceans as seen from the South Pacific Ocean, before the definition of the Southern Ocean in 2000 Oceans (from Okeanos in Greek) are saline waters that cover almost three quarters (71%) of the surface of the Earth. ... Fun at a water park A water park is an amusement park that features waterplay areas, such as water slides, splash pads, spraygrounds (water playgrounds), lazy rivers, or other recreational bathing environments. ...

History

An indoor wave pool at the Water Park of America in Minnesota

Several locations claim to have developed the first wave pool in the United States, including Big Surf in Tempe, Arizona in 1969[1], and Point Mallard Park's Aquatic Center, in the city of Decatur, Alabama. The latter was developed in the early 1970s after Mayor Gilmer Blackburn saw enclosed "wave-making" swimming pools in Japan and thought one could be a tourist attraction in the United States. J. Austin Smith, an Ohio wave pool manufacturer, worked with the city of Decatur to design and install the wave pool in 1970. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (3072x2304, 3008 KB) Wave pool at the Water Park of America I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (3072x2304, 3008 KB) Wave pool at the Water Park of America I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... The Water Park of America is currently under construction in east Bloomington, Minnesota. ... Capital Saint Paul Largest city Minneapolis Area  Ranked 12th  - Total 87,014 sq mi (225,365 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 400 miles (645 km)  - % water 8. ... Downtown Tempe and Arizona State University Tempe (pronounced ) is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with a population of 161,143 according to 2005 Census Bureau estimates. ... This article might not be written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia entry. ... Template:The Gilmer Blackburn (Point Mallard) Aquatic Center Point Mallard Aquatic Center (Water Park), Decatur, AL Point Mallard Parks Aquatic Center was developed in the early 1970s after Mayor Gilmer Blackburn saw enclosed wave-making swimming pools in Japan and thought one could be a tourist attraction in... Decatur, Alabama is a city in Morgan County, Alabama, with a small portion in southern Limestone County. ... Official language(s) English Capital Montgomery Largest city Birmingham Area  Ranked 30th  - Total 52,419 sq mi (135,765 km²)  - Width 190 miles (306 km)  - Length 330 miles (531 km)  - % water 3. ... Official language(s) None Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Largest metro area Cleveland Area  Ranked 34th  - Total 44,825 sq mi (116,096 km²)  - Width 220 miles (355 km)  - Length 220 miles (355 km)  - % water 8. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ...

Operation

Wave pools replicate the movement of the ocean one of two ways, depending on the size of the pool and the size of wave desired. In small wave pools, pressurized air is blown onto the surface of the water, or a paddle creates force in the water, creating small ripple-like waves. In large wave pools, a large amount of water is quickly allowed into the far end of the pool, forcing the water to even out, generating a sizeable wave. In these large wave pools, the excess water is removed by being channeled through a return canal where it can be used again to generate Cabin pressurization is the active pumping of air into the cabin of an aircraft to increase the air pressure within the cabin. ... AIR is a three-letter abbreviation with multiple meanings, as described below: The Annals of Improbable Research, a monthly magazine devoted to scientific humour All India Radio - Indias Government Radio service AIR, a popular electronica band from France. ... A paddle is a tool, originally a propulsion implement for mixing or pushing against liquids, typically in order to propel a boat. ... In physics, ripples are surface waves on a liquid with wavelengths so short that the liquids motion is governed almost entirely by surface tension forces. ...

Types and locations

Generally, wave pools are designed to use fresh water at inland locations, but some of the largest ones, located near other seashore developments, use salt water. Wave pools are typically larger than other recreational swimming pools and for this reason are often located in parks or other large, open areas.

Safety

Wave pools are more difficult to lifeguard than common lane pools; and there have been drownings in some. (For example, the wave pool at New Jersey's now-defunct Action Park took two lives, and was legendary for keeping the lifeguards busy rescuing patrons who often overestimated their swimming abilities.) The combination of the sporadically moving water with common obstructions such as sun glare make it difficult for lifeguards to rescue patrons in danger. Official language(s) None, English de facto Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Area  Ranked 47th  - Total 8,729 sq mi (22,608 km²)  - Width 70 miles (110 km)  - Length 150 miles (240 km)  - % water 14. ... Action Park was a popular amusement park open from 1978 to 1996 in Vernon, New Jersey, on the property of the former Vernon Valley/Great Gorge ski area, today Mountain Creek. ...

Computer driven automated drowning detection systems do not work in this environment, however, drowning prevention systems such as Swimguard that provide lifeguards with a clear view through the use of underwater cameras may improve the ability for lifeguards to save those in danger. There are three broad classes of pool safety cameras: remote monitoring; seeing aids for lifeguards; cameras for automated drowning detection. ...

Further reading

• Carl Hoffman, "Endless summer", Wired 12.05

External links

• Howstuffworks.com- "How Wave Pools Work"
• Drowning Prevention