Last week, Canada hosted a not-so-average surf contest. It was held in the chilly, landlocked region of Southern Québec, three to four hours from the nearest coastline. With the help of American Wave Machines’ SurfStream technology, Canada successfully completed their first-ever indoor surfing competition at Montreal’s Oasis Surf. And in addition to the event that was open for all skill levels and classes, attendees were treated to a show from a few of the sport’s finest athletes, including Jaime O’Brien, Cheyene Magnusson, and Keenan Flege.
“It was amazing to be a part of the first indoor surfing competition in Canada on American Wave Machines’ SurfStream,” said Cheyne Magnusson. “The performances from amateurs of all ages and the top pros who traveled north of the border were totally epic and the atmosphere was electric all day long. It was rad to see how surf culture can thrive in a freezing, landlocked, area of the world! I can’t wait to see what else American Wave Machines has up their sleeves!”
American Wave Machines’ SurfStream technology generates a natural-feeling, standing wave. Located within the Quartier DIX30 mall, the SurfStream has a 24-foot channel that can produce two- to six-foot waves, including a small barrel section that proved to be challenging even for the most experienced surfers.
“The Oasis Open was an incredible celebration of surfing at Canada’s first indoor surf park with the highest level of out-of-ocean surfing competition on display,” said Bruce McFarland, founder and president of American Wave Machines. “In a short period of time, Oasis Surf has established itself as a true surfing destination in Montreal with SurfStream providing surfable waves 365 days a year.”
In addition to the AWM’s laudable ambitions, they claim to have patented a technology that creates an infinite variety of waves, replicating point breaks, beach breaks, and reef breaks. Fittingly named PerfectSwell, the technology is said to be the first and only air pressure system to recreate naturally occurring ocean swells. This technology, along with Wave Garden and the Kelly Slater Wave Company, is just one of many projects expanding the sport of surfing into new locations around the world.
Final Results
17-
1) Tristan Lacroix
2) Valérie Grenons
3) Thomas Cheung
18+
1) Gabriel Robert
2) Juien koronkiewicz
3) Micheal ouellon
Women’s Open
1) Charlotte Sarrazin
2) Marie-Jeanne Lévêsque
3) Claire Provost
Men’s Open
1) Frédéric Asselin
2) Alexandre Loyer
3) Yann Roy
Barrel
1) Yann Roy
2) Jarred
3) Stéphane Julien
