Surfers Buy Waves Online
Surfers Buy Waves Online
A dude out in California named Lance Lurie started an online business in which he sells sells a service to anybody who wants to guarantee themselves a nice wave. His company called BuyAWave.com has developed the satellite technology that can track “fledgling” waves as far out to sea as 300 miles. Programmers at the company have developed software that “tags” the waves, giving each a specific identification number. Wave are determined to be small, medium or “monsters” and are priced from $1.89 all the way up to $9.99 for those one of a kind monsters.
Surfer’s can go to the website and choose a wave that will be rolling into shore at whatever time they want. A “wave controller” straddles a surfboard out past the break and by consulting with a handheld waterproof device, tells the surfer exactly when their wave is approaching. Sven Legstrom an avid Malibu surfer and client of BuyAWave says ”At my desk job during the day, I can log on and buy a few gnarly ones that'll be incoming after I get off work. fantasize about them. Well, you know what I mean... catching the break just right, getting in the curl and riding it all the way. I get off work, grab my board and head over to the beach. I can catch the 5:36, the 5:44, the 5:50, the 5:57, the 6:02 and the 6:08. After that, I'm pretty spent”. Many avid surfers like Sven are doing the same. BuyAWave generated $18 million in revenues in 2004, with 39% of their sales coming directly from Malibu.
Of course some people are hating on Lance’s idea. I don’t disagree when people say “you can’t buy nature”, but it’s not just the wave that people are buying it is a convenience factor that they are buying. Compare it a to ski resort; people there pay for the lift service, use of the lodges, and parking services not only to ski down a mountain a.k.a “nature”. Although in the case of the ski resort the company does actually own the land I think Lance’s idea was pretty cool and I would definitely be willing to spend 20 bucks for a good hour surfing. That is of course if I lived in Cali and knew how to surf. Lance’s company is pretty sick right? Tell me what you think.
Check these pics of Malibu's Surfing
3 Comments:
This has got to be without question one of the most innovative concepts I have ever heard. This guy Lance is a true entrepreneur. As for the hater's of this new company, I say nuts to them. As long as there is enough demand for the service, then more power to Lance and his company. The fact that people can precisely time a wave and get the most out of their riding experience is a great concept, especially for those who are just learning how to surf or those like me who are just impatient as hell. However, there are so many intangible factors that could prevent someone from getting the most out of their wave. Until Lance comes up with a technology to determine how many other surfers are already out on the water riding the same wave as the guy who just spent $8 for it, there are going to be a few unhappy clients of buyawave.com. Caveat emptor.
This is a really interesting concept. I think that it is great idea because it gives surfers an advantage so that they can get the most out of their experience. I'm sure Lance could've used his technology to inform surfers about when they best waves would be present and have the surfers may a monthly fee. "Buying the wave" concept, however, increases the price that surfers are willing to pay. I'm sure there are people who haven't been satisfied with the service, but it's their choice to spend the money! As for the people who are jealous of Lance, they're just pissed because they didn't think of it first and they don't have 18 million in revenues. These days it takes a really eye catching concept to make money.
I'll give him one thing, that’s a hell of an idea. And it’s pretty amazing that technology can even track precise waves like that. My only question is why would I pay for it? If I know that Lance is selling these waves, I could just go wherever he has set up shop and move 20 feet down the beach and catch the same wave for free. How is he going to stop me? Although I applaud his entrepreneurial spirit, the fact is I'll never be one of his clients. I’d much rather take the chance of going out there and it being a shitty day of waves but have a good experience than marginalize the whole thing by paying someone for something I can get for free.
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