Let me share my quick travel to Melbourne, I've managed to surf for two hours in artificial wave pool in Melbourne and it was a very interesting experience for me.
I went for Intermediate (Left) which being goofy was a good choice. Water temperature was about 16 degrees, I was fine in my 3/2 wetsuit but at the end of the second hour my feet went little bit numb.
I didn't bring any of my boards so I've rented quite massive floating board Fireware Addvance 7.6 with about 69 litres of volume was enough to keep my 93kg afloat. That length and buoyancy helped me to get more confidence this first trip, may be next time I will go for something like 6.6. It didn't hinder any maneuverability, intermediate setting has provided a very descent first section (where I usually did a cutback), then a section you suppose to do a nice snap, but I was losing my speed after first cutback so after first really good section I was trying just to surf to the end of the wall (which is quite easy with many litres in your board). As soon as you can end up on the other side of the wall, rip helps you to come back to the starting point.
Start is not that hard (of course I've failed my first and second wave), I kept 1.5 m from the wall, angle my take-off and paddle enough just to stay on the spot (the green Turns sign). Wave sucks back really strong, so you need to anticipate it by paddling to stay on the spot but don't go beyond the mark as wave will become more steeper and you will end up in not very pleasant situation, close to the wall with the next guy taking the next wave.
I reckon this pool is an awesome training ground especially if you can get a video footage of yours and a coach to analyse it.
Urbnsurf Melbourne got a nice restaurant at their premises, hot water tub (not really hot but good to soak between sessions), showers, free lockers and photographers to film your sessions. If you want 100% chance of photos, you can ask a blue rashie from the Photo booth and they would promise to give your more attention than normal. Photos are quite expensive though 10AUD after first 5 and if it's only 1, it is 20AUD.
I never hit a bottom but I saw few guys getting scratches on their faces even during intermediate session, you can get a free helmet if you want to.
I hope Sydney pool will be even more better (and may be they will put some rubber on the bottom
)Stay safe!
