Although the fickleness of surf conditions can gives stand up paddle surfing much of its allure (and keep us constantly checking the charts and the forecasts!), there aren't many surfers not to have fantasised about what it would be like to have perfection 'on tap'. 

The Valley of the Waves at Sun City, South Africa, comes pretty close to perfection - every two minutes a wave is generated: no waiting for sets, and no onshores.  
 
September 4-5 saw the world renowned facility play host to the first ever stand up paddle surfing wave pool contest, with some of the sport's big guns turning up to check out the pool, and lay down some moves in the South African sunshine.

As only one rider could be in the pool at any one time, heats worked on a rotational basis with four surfers per heat, and three waves each.  The format proved pretty unforgiving as riders had no second chances - if they missed the wave then that was it and, with the wave basically appearing out of nowhere, this made for some especially tense heats. The event title eventually went to local boy, John Whittle, with Jonno Rosslind taking first place in the floodlit 'xpression session'.
 
Planning has already begun for next year's event which will also include racing, and will be open to a wider field of competitors.