Water Sports Facility

Abstract

Described are systems, devices and methods for providing a facility for water sports such as wakeboarding, waterskiing, wake surfing, kneeboarding and the like in a controlled environment without the concomitant risks inherent in natural environments. Water is circulated by effluents from water pumps in an open air channel or pool and returned in a submerged closed channel. A participant controls velocity of water flowing from effluents and an amount of wake. Circulating water is rapidly decelerated by a second set of water pumps upon detecting participant falling or losing contact from a ski rope.

1 . A water sports facility comprising:
 an open channel comprising an open channel length, an open channel width, an upstream side, and a downstream side, wherein the open channel is configured to allow water to flow along the open channel length from the upstream side toward the downstream side;   a submerged return channel comprising a return channel cross-sectional flow area sufficient to accommodate water flow in the open channel, wherein the submerged return channel is configured to receive flowing water from the open channel, and wherein the submerged return channel is configured to deliver flowing water to the upstream side of the open channel;   one or more effluents capable of ejecting water into the upstream side of the open channel and along at least a portion of the open channel width;   one or more water influents in the submerged return channel that provides water to the one or more effluents; and   a participant support capable of assisting a water sport participant to resist water flowing in the open channel.   
     
     
         2 . The water sports facility of  claim 1 , wherein the water sports facility further comprises a flooring serving to separate at least a portion of the open channel and the submerged return channel. 
     
     
         3 . The water sports facility of  claim 1 , wherein the water sports facility further comprises a grate at the downstream side of the open channel, wherein the grate is configured to prevent the water sport participant from entering the submerged return channel, and wherein the grate is sufficiently porous to allow the passage of water from the open channel into the submerged return channel. 
     
     
         4 . The water sports facility of  claim 1 , wherein the water sports facility further comprises a water displacement hull, wherein the water displacement hull is movably mounted near the upstream side of the open channel, and wherein the water displacement hull may be partially or fully lowered into or removed from the open channel by operation of an actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The water sports facility of  claim 4  wherein a position of the water displacement hull is controllable by the water sport participant. 
     
     
         6 . The water sports facility of  claim 1  wherein the open channel is of a uniform depth along the open channel length or along a width of the open channel. 
     
     
         7 . The water sports facility of  claim 1  wherein a velocity, a volume or a velocity and volume of water is adjustable by the water sport participant or water sport operator. 
     
     
         8 . The water sports facility of  claim 1 , wherein the water sports facility further comprises:
 a controller capable of programmatically controlling a velocity, a volume or a velocity and volume of water from each of the one or more effluents independently of one another.   
     
     
         9 . A method for providing a wake to a water sport environment, the method comprising:
 flowing water into the water sport environment at a rate measured in volume per time;   providing a water displacement hull capable of being in the flowing water;   providing an actuator for adjusting a position of the water displacement hull relative to the flowing water;   providing a controller that is capable of controlling the actuator for adjusting the position of the water displacement hull relative to the flowing water; and   causing a wake with the water displacement hull when the water displacement hull is in the flowing water.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises:
 providing an actuator for controlling the rate measured in volume per time, wherein the controller is independently capable of controlling the actuator for controlling the rate of flowing water measured in volume per time.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is accessible to a water sport participant. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises:
 ceasing flow of water upon receiving an indication of non-participation by a water sport participant.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises:
 ejecting water against a circulation of water in the water sport environment upon receiving an indication of non-participation by a water sport participant.   
     
     
         14 . A method for simulating conditions for a water sport, the method comprising:
 ejecting water from a plurality of effluents at an upstream side of an open channel for use by a water sport participant and sufficient to allow the water sport participant to at least partially plane upon a surface of water in the open channel when the water sport participant resists a flow of water in the open channel;   directing water from the open channel into a return channel;   directing water from the return channel into the upstream side of the open channel; and   drawing water from either the open channel or return channel to supply water to the plurality of effluents at the upstream side of the open channel.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises:
 aerating at least some of the water at the upstream side of the open channel prior to directing water from the open channel into the return channel.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises:
 directing at least some of the plurality of effluents at the upstream side of the open channel toward a center region of the open channel.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises:
 detecting an indication of non-participation by the water sport participant;   ceasing ejection of water from the plurality of effluents at an upstream side of an open channel; and   ejecting water against water flowing in the open channel, return channel, or open channel and return channel to slow the flow of water circulating in the open channel and return channel.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the water ejected against water flowing in the open channel, return channel, or open channel and return channel is ejected until water flowing in the open channel is nearly stopped, stopped or flows toward the upstream side of the open channel. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises:
 providing a wake or water surface feature in the open channel for use by the water sport participant.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises:
 providing a controller to the water sport participant, wherein the controller provides at least a mechanism to adjust a volume, a velocity or a volume and velocity of water from the plurality of effluents at the upstream side of the open channel and a mechanism to control an amount of wake in the open channel.