American Wave Machines, Inc. (AWM) develops artificial wave technology
that replicates the experience of real ocean surfing. Its patented
SurfStream™, the world’s first standing wave machine,
is a technology breakthrough that delivers real surfing and wave
riding capabilities. The company also offers PerfectSwell™
and WindSwell™ traveling wave generators. AWM surf technology
is available for waterparks, surfparks, hotel resorts, and sponsored
wave-riding exhibitions. Systems can be mobile, stand alone, or
integrated into water systems.
Company History
Bruce McFarland’s love of surfing and skill in engineering
lead him to design, develop and manufacture a new way to create
artificial waves so that people of all skill levels could learn
how to surf. McFarland grew up surfing in Manhattan Beach, CA
and has a long family history of surfers, starting with his great
uncle, Charles Wright, who is recognized as one of San Diego’s
first surfers, taught by the great Duke Kahanamoku.
Building on the success of his consulting firm, Biomotive Engineering,
McFarland founded American Wave Machines, Inc. (AWM) in 2000 to
focus on the development of artificial wave technology. The core
focus of the company since then has been on engineering consulting,
research and development. The company introduced the first standing
wave machine, SurfStream, in 2006.
AWM”s approach to achieve real innovation requires flexibility,
a seasoned, multi-disciplined team, and frequent use of prototyping.
The AWM team is comprised of engineers and hydraulics modelers
who merge practical experience with experimental and scientific
methodology. The team takes an incremental approach to prototyping
that mitigates uncertainty before full scale production.
The SurfStream Difference
SurfStream is the first true standing wave surf pool. Riders
use real surf boards with fins to surf on a deep cushion of water.
This gives them the most sought after surfing experience –
“the long ride.” SurfStream accomplishes this in a
compact area, without the need for a large surge tank or surf-pool
type installation.
SurfStream creates an open river of water where standing waves
form up and away from subtle bottom contours, but don’t
travel toward a shore or boundary. Therefore, less space is needed
to create great waves. Unlike older sheet flow technology, SurfStream
uses less power while increasing the capacity for more riders
to surf simultaneously (up to five on a 12-foot wide wave). It
is also scaleable to match each waterpark’s own layout requirements.
AWM Products & Services
Standing Wave Machines
AWM’s patented SurfStream is a technology breakthrough
that delivers real surfing and wave riding capabilities for
hotels, resorts, waterparks, and sports exhibitions.
Wave Generators
PerfectSwell is the first pneumatic wave
generating system that creates waves with circular particle
motion that behave like wind generated swells in the ocean.
Unlike most modern surf pools that create surge waves that
behave like a tidal bore, PerfectSwell reduces rip currents
and energy buildup within the pool, while creating breaking
waves with same profile advance as ocean surf. Wave heights
and swell angle are continuously adjustable, making the
system ideal for phased or sequenced wave applications.
WindSwell wave generator is an entirely
new approach to generating traveling waves. It is the first
pneumatic system that does not require valves for generating
waves and has no moving parts in the water. This reduces
equipment costs and increases reliability.
Engineering Services
AWM provides engineering, design and analysis services for surf
pools and wave generation technology. Using state-of-the-art
tools, AWM develops 3D models for volumetric studies, structural
and loading analysis using finite element techniques.
The Management Team
Bruce McFarland, founder, President and CEO
Prior to AWM, Bruce was a partner in Biomotive Engineering,
providing mechanical design and engineering services to the
aerospace, amusement and biotechnology industries. His background
also includes engineering positions at TRW and as a consultant
at Structural Dynamics Research Corporation (SDRC). While there,
Bruce simulated the structural dynamics of spacecraft in a highly
analytical environment. Bruce received a Master of Science degree
in engineering with an emphasis on fluid dynamics and experimental
methods from the University of California, Santa Barbara in
1982.
Marie O’Reilly McFarland, Principal
Marie’s professional background includes partner at Biomotive
Engineering and positions at Scripps Institute of Oceanography,
Hewlett Packard (HP) and Hughes Aircraft Company. At HP, she
won the System Engineer of the Year award providing strategic
sales support. Marie received a Bachelor of Science degree in
mechanical engineering from the University of California, Santa
Barbara in 1980.
Louie Hayward, Director of Marketing
As a lifelong surfer, Louie Hayward has been involved in the
surf industry for more than 20 years. As founder of INT Softboards,
Louie revolutionized the surfboard industry by making softboards
a viable alternative to fiberglass for hardcore surfers and
beginners alike. His blackball beater led the revolt and put
surfers back in the blackball zone. Louie is a consummate networker
and an astute marketing specialist.
SurfStream Evangelists
Carl Ekstrom
Carl Ekstrom is an accomplished designer and craftsman who pioneered
the surfboard shaping industry, building his own surfboard manufacturing
company in La Jolla, Calif. Ekstrom built the first curling
sheet wave model and was a key developer for all subsequent
sheet wave designs.
Elijah Mack
Elijah Mack is a legendary river surfer and world traveler in
search of the ultimate standing waves. As President of the World
River Surfing Association (WRSA), Mack’s passion runs
deep. Mack is on the AWM design team for construction of river
surf parks in existing rivers. Check out Eli at www.surfrivers.net.
Flometrics – Flometrics is an engineering
firm specializing in solving problems in fluid dynamics and
thermodynamics. The company designs, builds, tests and improves
products for customers in industries from consumer products
to medical devices to spacecraft hardware. Operated by Steve
Harrington, Flometrics contributes unparalleled theoretical
fluid dynamics know how. For more information, visit www.flometrics.com.
