Facility providing a controlled environment for water sports

Abstract

A facility capable of hosting ocean water sports is situated in a geographic location that is accessible to spectators. The facility is capable of emulating the required ocean environment for a desired water sport within a water course, pool, or other large receptacle of water by use of scalable, non-interfering wave generators. Contemplated water sports range from offshore power boat racing to surfing. Location of the simulated environment enables sufficient spectator facilities in which admission may be controlled.

1 . A facility for providing a simulated environment for a water sport typically performed in a natural environment, wherein the facility comprises: 
 a body of water defining a water level and having a predetermined course, wherein the body of water provides a size and depth below the water level that are suitable for the water sport;    one or more wave generators located proximate to the predetermined course without interfering with the water sport in the predetermined course, wherein the one or more wave generators are engaged with the body of water so as to be capable of discharging into a portion of the body of water;    a control system enabling the control of the one or more wave generators so as to discharge the one or more wave generators in a manner simulating the natural environment; and    a spectator facility proximate to the predetermined course, wherein spectators may be admitted into the spectator facility to view the predetermined course and the water sport therein, and wherein the spectator facility is configured to control admission of spectators.    
   
   
       2 . The facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more wave generators comprises one or more wave cannons, and further comprising a compressed air system to supply the one or more wave cannons with compressed air, responsive to the control system.  
   
   
       3 . The facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more wave generators comprises one or more wave cannons, and further comprising a compressed air system to supply the one or more wave cannons with compressed air, and wherein the one or more wave cannons, the compressed air system, and the control system are adapted for variable charging of the wave cannons in order to simulate a variety of conditions for the natural environment.  
   
   
       4 . The facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more wave generators comprises one or more wave cannons, and further comprising a compressed air system to supply the one or more wave cannons with compressed air, and wherein the one or more wave cannons are movably mounted so as to be responsive to the control system in azimuth and elevation.  
   
   
       5 . The facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the control system includes one or more computers, each computer having a processor and a memory, and wherein the memory includes one or more scenarios of conditions for the simulated natural environment.  
   
   
       6 . The facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the water sport includes at least one boat.  
   
   
       7 . The facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the water sport is offshore power boat racing.  
   
   
       8 . The facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the body of water includes a simulated beach and the water sport is surfing.  
   
   
       9 . The facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the water sport is wake riding.  
   
   
       10 . The facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the water sport is kayaking.  
   
   
       11 . The facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the water sport is jet skiing.  
   
   
       12 . The recreational facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the body of water includes at least one spur channel.  
   
   
       13 . The recreational facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the water sport includes at least one boat and the recreational facility further comprises a water craft support facility in support of the at least one boat.  
   
   
       14 . The recreational facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined course comprises substantially an ellipse.  
   
   
       15 . The recreational facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined course is substantially a figure eight.  
   
   
       16 . The recreational facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined course is substantially straight.  
   
   
       17 . The recreational facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the spectator facility includes at least one grandstand.  
   
   
       18 . The recreational facility according to  claim 1 , wherein the spectator facility includes at least one camera for close in viewing of the water sport.