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01/31/07: Miles To Surf, a film written and directed by James Fulbright, recently won two awards: one a Silver Remington Award at the 2006 Worldfest and another, a "Best Documentary-Subject Matter" award at the 2006 International Surf Film Festival in St.Jean De Luz, France. The film highlights the Surf City Texas project in the final segment, in hopes of getting worldwide attention for both the Texas project and for the future of surfing in wavepools worldwide. The theme of the film describes all the alternatives that were created by surfers who were either landlocked or not getting enough surf to satisfy their surf cravings. Click on the title above to learn more about the film and how to obtain a copy. Miles To Surf was recently acquired by Electric Sky, a distribution company in England that specializes in the worldwide TV placement of documentaries of all genres. 01/31/07: Many things have occurred over the past 19 months that have affected the forward momentum of this project. I apologize for not updating, but everything that you could possibly imagine with a project of this magnitude occurred, including legal problems that I can not elaborate on, but have been resolved. If you have been following this project since the inception, you may remember a letter I wrote initially that said the only way I would abandon this project was if interest waned or I went broke before getting more people involved. Not one solitary individual has come forward with capital these past 5 years, and my original investment has been spent in it's entirety. That has slowed the project's momentum significantly. Some of the reasons for not moving forward that have been sited by potential groups showing investment interest were: unproven technology. the lack of an existing full-scale working model. a business plan that did not reflect enough return for the risk involved. negative implications pertaining to man made surfing for pay. The first point of unproven technology is a valid concern, but we made every effort to prove, as well as improve the technology, using exact scale working models and consulting with engineers and research scientists, all of whom endorsed the results. The lack of a full scale working model is one of our toughest obstacles to overcome. The cost of building a legitimate, quality wave model is virtually the same as building the wavepool, as our approach is the same. A full scale test in Virginia is forthcoming, so hopefully the results will help put this argument to bed. Our business plan has always been solid and truthful, and has reflected a return on the original investment of roughly 15% annually. Considering the fact that this was for wavepool operation only, a larger return could be reflected had we brought in interested parties for surrounding businesses and attractions. Investment groups and individuals were wanting to see at least a 30% return from the operation of the wavepool alone. In order to reflect that, we would have to charge an unrealistic amount of money for waves. We are now rethinking our business plan approach and hopefully we can solve some of the problems with the existing business plan. Any negative implications pertaining to charging people to surf stem from previous attempts to create a surfing wave in a man made environment that produced lackluster results. It is our assumption that once a venue is created that produces a consistant, good quality wave, much of the negativity surrounding man vs. nature will be quelled. In summation, there are many groups vying for position in the race for creating a world class artificial wave park. It is all good, but accusations of patent infringment, intellectual property theft and the like were rampant. There is no single technology or idea that will prevail, as there are many ways to skin a cat and much of the applications pertaining to both wave generation and pool design have existed for many years and are already in the public domain. Cornering the market and/or having worldwide exclusivity on wavepools and wave generators is a preposterous and arrogant assumption that will only compromise and stifle other people's work and ideas. The goal is to finally move in a positive direction in regards to offering surfers viable alternatives and challenging waves, be it in a man made setting or natural one. Although it has been a long, rocky and expensive road, I still believe in my dream and I will continue to pursue it...whether alone or with help. We thank the people who have offered encouragement and we ask that everyone continue to be patient and supportive. We welcome comments and suggestions.It is a new year and a new beginning for Surf City Texas.
04/28/05: Guess you all are wondering what is going on with the project and if we are making any progress. The process of presenting new ideas to serious investors, and asking for serious money, takes more time and effort that one might imagine. This stage of the project is the toughest. One might think proving, refining, and finalizing the technology for the wave generation system, and pool design would be the hard part, but we are finding out that raising "start-up" capital is much more difficult. We have made some great contacts, and can report very positive progress. As of this date we are unable to give you all any more information. As this process moves forward, and we are really confidant it will continue to do so, we will keep you all as informed as we possibly can. You can help. If you have not signed up to be a member of Surf
City Texas, please do so! Also, please tell everyone you know about
this project, and have them sign up too. Additionally, email us
with your comment, concerns, interest, and ideas. The more of you
that show real interest in this project becoming a reality, the
better the chances that it will!!
01/12/05: During the past months, we have been evaluating the business and legal viabilities and implications of all current technologies, and improvements thereof, in wave generation systems, including our own. In the coming months, we will be analyzing more improvements, as well as all alternatives, including competing systems, in order to move forward in the most efficient, profitable and legal manner. After returning from his 22nd annual visit to Surf Expo in Orlando, Florida, Fulbright reported a high level of interest coming from both individuals residing in the area, and from numerous companies within the surfing industry about Surf City Texas' surf park project. Given the fact that Orlando is to be the future home of another large scale wave pool project, funded in part by Ron Jon Surf Shop, it looks like wave pools designed exclusively for surfing will become a reality sooner than later. 10/15/04: Surf City Texas' wave generating technology and pool designs will be showcased in an upcoming documentary about surfing spin-off sports and alternatives, which is slated for release in Spring 2005. Some of the topics included are the history of early sidewalk surfing (skateboarding), early and modern wake surfing behind ski boats, wakeboarding, tidal bore surfing, static river wave surfing, supertanker wake surfing, and surfing in various wave pools around the world. Surfing, and surfers in particular, are responsible for the invention of skateboarding, wakeboarding, snowboarding and numerous other pastimes that allow us to continue to capture the unique feeling one gets when riding a wave, regardless of geographic location or vehicle. The future of surfing will obviously include artificial surfing venues and reef projects, to accomodate an ever increasing demand for riding waves. 07/16/04: It's been an exciting time in the offices
of Surf City Texas this summer. A Gulf Coast summer flatspell has
led to a dramatic increase in the number of people signing up each
day to become potential members of the world's first exclusive,
upscale surf club. Also, we'd like to thank everyone for the many
letters of support we have been receiving lately. Your words of
encouragement, along with the recent spike in membership interest,
have done a lot to boost our morale as we push forward with trying
to find the funding necessary to construct this monumental project. 05/19/04: Tom Banks' Wavemaker Documentary, which is a 25 minute documentary about the history of Texas surfing and the Surf City Texas surfpark project, won first place in the documentary category, at The Island Film Festival. To learn more about the documentary, check out Tom's website at www.wavemakermovie.com In other news, Fulbright will be attending a Venture Capital Conference in June, to meet local investment groups regarding obtaining the funding necessary to build Surf City Texas. A recent story about Surf City Texas, written in the Dallas Morning News, has helped to acquire more leads in getting more editorial exposure for the project, which can help in attracting more investment dollars, thanks to writer, Joe Nick Patoski and photographer Erich Schlegal. Read more here. Three more people who have been instrumental in helping Fulbright pursue funding recently are: Wade Schmitz of Herbert Shapiro & Associates, Terry Doak of Compass Bank and Chris Lee of PFS Mortgage Loans,Inc. 03/25/04: The office of Surf City Texas has been relocated from our test tank facility in Texas City, Tx, which has been finalized, documented and dismantled, to Galveston. All mail inquiries: 2223-37th Street. Galveston, Texas 77550, or e-mail: fulbright@surfcitytexas.com. SCT has joined fundingpost.com, which is a venture capital networking group, who specializes in helping startup business obtain funding and investor leads. In the past two months, I have received inquiries from Brazil, Australia, New York and South Florida, from investment groups who have an interest in building a franchise in their respective areas once the first park is operational. It is my intention to continue to focus on building the first full scale prototype in the Houston/Galveston area, but acquiring an investment group for the premiere park has proven to be the real challenge and obstacle. In other news, Tom Banks documentary, Wave Maker, which chronicles the projects history and Texas surfing, will be shown at a film festival, Water Foto Fest, sponsored by Southwest Media Project (SWAMP). The viewing will be April 9th @ 7pm, at Brown Auditorium, in the Museum of Fine Arts, in Houston. 02/16/04: Our physical modeling stage has come to a conclusion, after 13 months of scale model testing, and netted two successful pool designs and numerous modifications of the wave generating hardware and technology. The current stage of raising investment interest and funds will be ongoing in the coming months. Their are still some exciting options and events forthcoming, pertaining to fundraising and increasing world-wide awareness. Many business packages have recently been distributed within surf industry circles and venture capital and private investment groups. Special thanks go out to the entire board of SIMA, big wave surfer/ world renown shaper/friend Gary Linden, Galveston's Beach Patrol Director, Vic Maceo, local Surfrider Foundation spokesman Ellis Pickett, local surfer and businessman Donn Kenney, and a host of numerous others for their consideration and support during the past few months. I will keep you posted of positive developments upon my return from a much needed surf safari! 01/22/04: Local surfer and aspiring videographer, Tom Banks, is in the process of making a surf movie, named "Wave Maker", which promotes surfing along the Texas Gulf Coast and chronicles the history of Surf City Texas! Interviews include Mike Hynson and Robert August, of the original Endless Summer, pro female longboarder Belen Connelly, Surfer photographer Jon Steele, and many others, including the participants of the surf park project. He will have a website about the documentary soon, called www.wavemakermovie.com. In other news, the newest Surfing Magazine, February'04, made a mention of our project on page 68, in their "Man vs. Nature" article. Get a copy today. Fulbright continues to pursue investment capital and endorsements from the surfing industry, and just returned from Surf Expo in Orlando, Florida, where he met with SIMA's managing director, Sean Smith, and other surf industry leaders.. More physical modeling tests are forthcoming over the next two months, to further our studies of wave cannon technology. 12/18/03: The past 2 months have been spent designing, building and studying an alternative pool design. This design is capable of producing two waves per firing, and is a less expensive option for a smaller budget and/or smaller land sites. Our original pool design which creates four waves per firing is our pool of choice, and took us 10 months and twelve prototypes to finalize. This new design, however, utilizes a similar but smaller layout, and took me 7 prototype attempts to complete. CHECK OUT THE RESULTS HERE. The scale is still one-twelfth and nets similar wave height and length results. The wave generating hardware used was completely changed to test the wave cannon's capability to scale up in a linear fashion. These tests have been proven successful, although new challenges had to be addressed associated with water depth in the firing area to accomodate a larger pipe diameter(and larger ground swells when increasing psi), and water depths in the shoaling areas, as the breaking wave travels along the inside reef. 12/04/03: A decision to extend our lease at our test facility will allow us to continue research on all features of wave cannons, our final pool design, and to experiment with an alternative design, which offers two point break waves per firing, as opposed to four. The design is obviously smaller in overall dimension and needs less hardware, materials, etc, thus netting a more affordable option. Another aspect we are carefully studying is whether or not a more straightforward design and firing will result in a much faster calming effect, which might allow us to net close to the same number of rides in a given time as the four wave design currently offers. This is allowing us, or anyone else, to have an alternative in the event of having a smaller plot at their disposal. In other news, much thought has gone into our recent modification of our business plan and projected income statements, mostly due to a land lease deal with the City of Galveston Municipal Airport falling thru, forcing us to consider more expensive land options. As time goes by though, and more interested parties study and tweak the numbers, the assumptions, statements and overall plan, it becomes much closer to completion, and still reflects a 14% annual return on investment. So far, scenarios include having a totally private membership group or having a combination of private and public users. Please continue to keep Surf City Texas in your prayers and thoughts, spread the word, and have a very Happy Holidays! 11/12/03: The final group of tests have been completed, studied and documented relating to our wave generating technology, pool design and scale up effects. Over 11 months of scale model testing have netted a unique pool design and hardware setup capable of producing 4 point break style waves every 60 seconds, or so, in a safe and natural environment. Wave heights in the full scale project should start at 6' and end at 2', with 75 yard rides being the norm. Wave breaking characteristics show a hollow takeoff with a well defined shoulder through the length of the ride...a perfect practice facility, with two right points and two left points. A three bouy system will be incorporated to allow experienced riders to take off at the main peaks, while less experienced riders will have a second and third set of bouys on the inside to take off from, where the wave size and intensity are somewhat diminished. An extensive marketing campaign is under way to acquire the necessary build out dollars for phase one, which is the pool itself, the wave generating hardware, and the clubhouse, which will house a check in area, a pro shop and a small snack bar/restaurant. The location is still up in the air at this time, especially with so much hype being associated with numerous proposed water parks slated to be built in Galveston. Other areas are being considered, with at least two groups outside of Galveston offering a site in exchange for a percentage of the profits. We are also canvassing the surf industry for support in the form of endorsement letters and assistance in finding either a venture capital group and/or corporate sponsorship. Attempts to secure local political support and support from local developers have been fruitless. This phase in the project is going to take patience and determination. There are still some exciting options available and the project has been presented to numerous groups capable of securing the funds to go full scale. I am still working hard and trying harder. Keep checking!! 10/30/03: Final experiments have begun to determine the exact linear relationship to wave cannon technology and it's increase in pipe length and diameter. Additionally, technology efficiency is also being studied, by installing a valve for each and every pipe, compared to a valve on each outside pipe of each array. By using the same pool geometry, with the exception of the firing angles, the same pool dimensioning, and the same psi and valve timing, these studies will document and prove net wave height results in conjunction with various cannon arrays, sizing and plumbing. This is a very important group of experiments that should finally lay to rest any concerns about the linear relationship of pipe size to wave height. Stay tuned for the results over the next two to three weeks. In other news, with the huge amount of local interest in waterparks at an all time high, due to Schlitterbaun's desire to have a waterpark in Galveston, and a local developer's intentions of also wanting to build a waterpark in Galveston, we are struggling to get any support from Galveston leadership. Although our surf park design, with it's accompanying exclusive technology would compliment either park and be a very exclusive and unique attraction to Galveston, local politics and special interests are riding shotgun. Of course, any assumptions that we would be in direct competition and/or take away market share from either proposed waterpark, are unfounded. Our core clientele are a very unique group, with 900 individuals already signed up to become private members. We can only ADD to the list of attractions and options Galveston would have to offer. It's called co-existing. Our proposed site, although promised to us, is in jeopardy, as well as the small amount of local support we have managed to acquire over the past year. Market research points in the direction of Galveston being the perfect location for the premeire surf park, but without the support and assistance of the political and development community, we may be convinced to pursue another location. 10/13/03: Talks and presentations continue as Fulbright searches for build-out capital for the Surf City Texas wave pool project. Numerous developers, bankers and individuals have either been given power point presentations or surf park prospectuses over the past two weeks. Jeff Sjolstrom, President of Galveston Economic Development Partnership, has offered to help us to obtain interest from local developers, land owners and investors. A large extreme sports group has recently contacted us about their interest in integrating our project into their facility. More specific info. is forthcoming. For those who were unable to attend Surf Stomp, we are offering a limited number of t-shirt, music compilation c.d. and signed event poster packages. A $40.00 donation, in the form of a check or money order, will get you all three items, including shipping and handling. T-shirt sizes are limited. Please support this project by sending your check or money order and size preferance to: SURF CITY TEXAS 2223-37th St. Galveston, Texas 77550. 09/26/03: Thanks to the generosity and support of over 850 people who attended Surf Stomp 2003, experiments will continue at our scale model wave tank facility, with among other things, a new pool design and new array of cannons being put to the test over the next two months. A great deal of optimism surrounds the project in investment circles, both locally and nationally. Fulbright had meetings with numerous groups at a recent trade show, including Quiksilver and the Surf Industry Manufactures Association (SIMA), to introduce the park concept and potential to key surf industry leaders. Although build-out dollars will most likely come from outside the surf industry, this project is being fully supported and endorsed by the industry. Basically everyone is saying, "if you build it, I will come". The buzz is out now...it's not a matter of if...it's a matter of when. We now have a west coast representative. His name is Scott Bukow. Also, Professor Kalon Morris continues to work on modifications to the pool bottom and bithymetry to facilitate optimum wave breaking characteristics in full scale. We are on it guys. Keep the faith! 09/14/03: With the Surf Stomp event just day's away, Mike Hynson has been added to the guest list! Legendary surfer and shaper, who starred in the original Endless Summer, will be in Galveston to shape a few RED FINS and support Surf City Texas. Also, a silent auction is planned with some very unique items up for grabs. CHECK IT OUT. Corporate sponsors who have generously offered to donate merchandise are Quiksilver, Rip Curl, O'Neill, Billabong, Etnies, Nixon, Drew Brophy and Surf Specialties. 09/02/03: September the 19th continues to be the the date planned for our public awareness event, hosted by Whiskey Blues, featuring 6 bands, pro surfers, compilation c.d.s and limited edition t-shirts. Be there or be square. Wave pool project leader, James Fulbright is headed to California to attend the Action Sports Retailer Trade show and meet with key surf industry leaders to discuss the future of Surf City Texas and acquire corporate and industry sponsors for the Surf Stomp event and the full scale park. 08/18/03: A public awareness campaign aimed at promoting our wave pool project, has been scheduled for Friday, September 19th at Galveston's Whiskey Blues, which will feature local musical talents, Shark Attack, Bert Wills, Fallenline, Paris Green and Deepella. A limited edition compilation C.D. will be available at the event and our premier t-shirt will be launched on the same night. Special guest appearances will include Surfer Magazine photographer Jon Steele, Texas pro surfer Layne Harrison and female pro longboarder Belen Kimball-Connelly. Every surfer signed up to be a member should be there to show their support of this landmark project. Special advance thanks go out to Whiskey Blues owners, all the band members who are donating their time and services, houstonbands.net writer Penny Robinson and Whiskey Blue's booking agent John Amburg for handling the band line-up and logistics!! Check out the event poster here. 08/11/03: Our eleventh scale model test proved
very successful in finalizing the pool geometry. Wave results show
no reflection problems and no "false echo ramping effect"
associated with the wave heights achieved along the side walls.
View
results here. See more in photo section 07/28/03: Professor of Marine Science at Saddleback College and Research Scientist at Scripps Institute, Kalon Morris, recently visited Surf City Texas' scale model wave pool to compile data for computer modeling the wave pool, at full scale, and just published his findings. Read the letter. Positive talks and meetings with developers are continuing over the next few weeks, and we are very optimistic that our exciting project will attract the right group to move to the next phase...finalizing plans to construct the full scale park! We will keep you posted. Plans are still in the works for a fund raiser for the project, which will include several local bands, the launching of our premiere t-shirt, a silent auction and a benefit music C.D. compilation for sale. Those helping are Shark Attacks' Marc Borde, FALLENLINE's Ryan Haislip and houstonbands.net's Penny Robinson. Galveston's newest and largest night club, Whiskey Blues, has offered their facilities as the venue...stay tuned. 07/23/03: At the request of Whiskey Blue's booking agent, the Surf City Texas fundraiser will be rescheduled, and the band line-up will change as well. Keep tabs on our website for further developments. Sorry for the confusion. 07/21/03: Local Coastal Engineer, Rob Kite, has compiled his findings concerning the design elements of our scale model pool design. Check it out! Professor Kalon Morris made a trip to Galveston over the weekend to compile data and study the results of both the wave cannon technology and our pool design. Professor Morris has agreed to computer model the design for us to verify results associated with the scaled up prototype. Professor Morris' findings will be published soon. A festival and fundraiser to increase public awareness and help raise needed funds for the Surf City Texas project is being assembled by band promoter and writer for houstonbands.net, Penelope Robinson. Thanks to Ryan Haislip, band member of Houston's popular metal band FALLEN LINE, Penelope is currently searching for a large enough venue to host this huge event. We will keep you posted. 07/17/03: A minor catastrophe occurred when someone was asked to turn off the water and didn't do it. 24 hours and thousands of gallons of water later, the left-hand pool wall said,"no more" and collapsed, followed by a weekend of pure pleasure cleaning up the mess. Professor Morris arrives tonight to assist in full scale computer modeling to determine the scale up wave characteristics, as well as any remaining water flow problems that exist. Presentations to developers and investors continue this week. Data base for potential private member group finished in preparation of mass e-mail announcements. Premiere t-shirt being screenprinted using state-of-the-art 4-color process! 07/07/03: Our premiere t-shirt design has been
completed by acclaimed surf artist Drew Brophy. Fluid dynamics specialist
and professor, Kalon Morris, has joined our design team to study
wave and water flow elements of our pool design and cannon technology.
Professor Morris is a graduate of Harvard University, currently
teaching physical oceanography at Saddleback College, and receiving
his PhD in two weeks in Oceanography from Scripps Institution of
Oceanography in San Diego. Professor Morris is due to arrive next
week. He is an avid surfer and we are excited to have him on our
team! Wave cannon inventor Richie Carnahan recently built a new
cannon array for us that was just picked up in California and is
scheduled to be installed in our pool model soon. The newest array,
having only three cannons, increases the total water volume being
pushed by all twelve current cannons combined! Stay tuned for the
results!! 06/25/03: Wave test firings continue in our ninth scale model prototype. The results are clean waves with little to no rebound energy off the side walls. Additionally, the wash-over zone implemented in our last pool design has been very successful in transferring any wave energy left over into a lazy river application. Final preparations and marketing packages are being made for upcoming presentations with various Galveston city leaders and local investors. Meetings have been scheduled with the marketing group Ernst and Young, to discuss our future marketing strategy. Representatives of Houston based automation company PlantData Technologies are also scheduled for a meeting to study options for automating wave cannon firing sequences for the final full scale product. Check out http://www.ey.com and http://www.plantdata.com
05/19/03: Surfing Girl Magazine publishes story about Surf City Texas on their website. 05/17/03: Artist Drew Brophy submits first rendering of SCT logo and t-shirt design. James asked Drew to design something incorporating a cow skull with the skulls being the lips of two waves peeling off, as the foundation of the design. Check out more of Drew's work at http://www.sonofthesea.com .
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06/16/03:
Our 8th pool design and test fires have been completed and deemed
successful. Our previous design showed rebound energy associated
with the side wall angles distorting the wave face. Our first public
demonstration was to the Junior Lifeguard Program, where over 70
young folks studying to be future Galveston County lifeguards toured
the wave tank facility and learned about wave generating technology,
viewed videos of other wave pools across the world, and witnessed
wave cannon firings in the newest pool design. We are currently
readying the pool for a presentation to Galveston city leaders,
which will take place in one week. 
06/02/03:
The July issue of 
06/01/03:
Professional photographer Pam Pecchio was contracted by Details
Magazine to document our 7th wave pool tank tests. The story is
due to be published in their September issue. Other than experiencing
a minor problem with rebound energy distorting the outer wall waves,
the test went very well. A relatively quick modification of the
angle of the pool entry walls should solve the distortion caused
by rebound energy. 
05/22/03:
Wave cannon inventor, Richie Carnahan, is scheduled to arrive next
week with a new cannon array capable of producing a larger center
peak using LESS air pressure! This will allow us to accelerate our
firing sequences and have a less explosive reaction. Richie's arrival
is perfectly timed to have he and his newest cannon configuration
here just in time for the arrival of one of Details Magazines' photographers
for a photo shoot. The popular mens magazine is doing a story on
wave cannon technology and it's application in the Surf City Texas
pool model.