Looking for a new adventure in Dubai? Well, sustainable surfing is on the way. Okahina Wave offers a new eco-friendly way to surf with least impact on biodiversity.
The “artificial surfing” market made possible by the development of new technologies is estimated at around US$ 8 bn worldwide, according to the Okahina Wave’s CEO Laurent Hequily.
“Okahina is the only technology which can be set in a natural environment, either in a lake or in the sea,” Hequily added to TRENDS. “In comparison, that does not exist at any other company because all the competing technologies are wave pools.”
Wave pools require digging a hole in the ground, putting sweet water, and adding a lot of concrete. These pools aren’t sustainable in terms of cost and environment.
Okahina is the first eco-friendly man-made wave, a floating atoll set in a natural environment (sea, lake, lagoon) with a positive impact on biodiversity.
In addition to creating perfect waves every 10 seconds, it aims to improve degraded aquatic environments by oxygenating the water and enriching the marine biotope.
Dubai: Attractions and challenges
What makes Dubai a tourist hub and an essential market for sustainable surfing is the region’s proximity to the sea. It’s also a place where people already have a “beach culture.” Hequily observed that there is a strong community of surfers in the Middle East.
Okahina has now takers in countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Egypt. But its main goal is to create an educated generation of surfers keen to enjoy this sport on artificial but sustainable waves.
In Dubai, several developers have found Okahina’s project interesting since it enables them to attract more crowds. It’s also a way to develop their business and protect the environment. Furthermore, potential local champions from the region might participate in international competitions in the upcoming years.
Expo 2020 – Future Projects Signed
Okahina Wave is participating in Expo 2020 Dubai, where the French government invited the company to present its innovations. Okahina Wave is already developing three projects in France in the upcoming five years.
