In spring 2006, Sierd de Vries and Matthieu de Schipper were contacted by Professor Stive at the Delft University of Technology about an Australian surfboard manufacturer, searching assistance in the development of a new invention; a circular pool with surfable waves generated by ship-like hulls. A team of experts was gathered to research this interesting concept. Their findings are documented here; The generation of surfable ship waves in a circular pool.

Consider an object moving through a straight canal with a constant velocity Vs. Water is then displaced from in front of the object to behind the object, as follows from continuity. The local increase in water velocity beside the hull causes a corresponding water level depression along the object. This return current and water level depression are called the primary wave system of a moving object.

The flow curving around the object causes velocity and pressure gradients in the flow. These gradients generate small waves that radiate into the fluid, much like a stone thrown in the water. Since this disturbance point moves, the radial waves will interfere with each other behind the vessel. The resulting interference pattern is the secondary wave system and can be seen behind a ship or any moving obstacle as a typical V-pattern. This is the basis of the research carried out by Matthieu de Schipper and his team. Read Matthieu’s thises on The generation of surfable ship waves in a circular pool.