CA1185630A - Surfing hill - Google Patents

Abstract

SURFING HILL
Abstract An amusement apparatus is disclosed which simulates the riding experience encountered in ocean surfing, composed generally of a shaped slope having plural, stationary wave forms and multiple surface irregularities, covered with a plurality of interconnected vinyl-coated foam sections, and including an irrigation system to distribute a thin film of water over the upper surface of the apparatus. The interconnected prefabricated sections yield an inclined planing surface which is adapted to slightly deform in response to shifting body weight of a user thereby permitting a user to turn and maneuver during travel down the apparatus on a surfboard-like vehicle.

Description

SURFING HILL
Background of the Pres~nt Invention The present inven~ion relates to amusement apparatus, and more particularly to an aquatic amusement apparatus which simulates ~he natural ocean wave action encountered during body and board surfing.
In recent years, there has been a dramatic resurgence in the United States in the well-known sport of body and/or board surfing. Heretofore, the sport has been best practiced in only those few states~ such as California, Florida, and ~awaii, which not only possess long coastlines, but tropical or semi-tropical climates yielding relatively warm water temperatures to permit surfing throughout the majority of the year.
Although attempts have been made to duplicate the natural wave conditions of ocean bodies at inland locations, such attempts have typically comprised artificial wave making apparatusr wherein a large, man-made bo~y of water is provided with suitable mechanical means to generate a water wave form. ~lthough such prior `~ art artificial wave generating apparatus have permitted body and board surfing in inland areas, there are substantial deficiencies associated in their use~
Foremost of these deficiencies is the extreme high cost incurred in their initial installation and subsequent operation and maintenanceO As will be recogni7ed~ the construction o~ a man-made water reservoir and complex hydraulic~mechanical wave generating systern requires substantial capital expenditure. Further, the constant chemical treatment of the water and maintenance of the hydraulic/m~chanical system yields a significant financial ; obstacle which has made the widespread use of such prior art apparatus cost prohibitive.
Additionally, due to he prior art's use of a large body of water and hard concrete reservoir bottom, such devices continuously pose a significant safety hazard to ~j~' 3S~

the user requiring constant monitoring of the apparatus by professional lifeguards~ These` safety hazards become acute when the apparatus is congested with novice users with surfboards often kicking out of ~he wave form and impinging upon other swimmers and surfers in the water.
; Further, such prior art apparatus have been severely limited as to site location, typically requiring relatively warm climate environments so that the water reservoir need not be heated thrcughout the rnajor portion of the year.
Although a few devices have recently been introduced to permit body planing, skiing, or tobogganing on an artificial surface, as disclosed in Carrier U.S. Patent No.

2,982,547 issued May 2, 1961 and Wehr et al U.S. Patent No. 3,091,998 1~ issued June 4, 1963, such devices have failed to prcvide any means for simulating ocean wave action.
Thus, there exi5t5 ~ substantial need for a relatively low-cost amusement apparatus, simulative of natural ocean wave action, which may be located at inland locations and efficiently operated without posing a significant safety hazard to the user.
Summary of the Present Invention The present invention comprises an aquatic amusement apparatus which simulates the riding experience 2S encountered in ocean surfing while eliminating the substantial cost, site location, and safety hazards associated with the prior art wave generating apparatus.
According to the invention, there is provided an amusemen~ apparatus characterized ~y being for simulating riding motion over an ocean wave as encountered in ocean surfing, and comprising a shaped slope having a generally downward inclination to provide a desired rate of descent, and a plurality of prefabricated panel sections positioned on said slope forming a relatively seamless covering with a s~ooth surface finish on wnich a user may slidably travel, said panel sections adapted to defor~ to direct a ~.

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user's path in response to forces exerted against them by said user in sliding tra~el, each of said sections comprising an upper and lower surface sheet, said upper sheet having a smooth surface finish to provide a slippery surface when wet; a resilient core di.sposed between said surface sheets; means for interconnecting said panel sections to provide a relatively seamless upper smooth surface including means for anchoring said panel sections to said slope; and means for applying a film of water to the smooth surface of said upper sheet in continuum.
Another embodiment of the invention provides a method for adapting a hillside to form an amusement device characterized by simulating a natural wave action encountered during ocean surfing by shaping said hil~side to form a sloped surface having one or more surface : ~ irreyularities and a downward inclination sufficient to provide a desired rate of descent; covering said sloped ~` : surface with a smooth planing surface; and applying a sufficient quantity of water onto said planing surface to ; 20 flood said planing surface with a water film to permit a user,to plane down said sloped surfaceO
Particularly, the present invention comprises a shaped ; ~ slope having a plurality of stationary wave-like contours and surface irregularities, wh.ich is covered with a vinyl-coated foam substrate. The foam substrate incorporates an irrigation system to distribute a thin film of water over its smooth upper vinyl surface which reduces friction to enable a user to rapidly travel down the slope on either his body, an innertube or a surfboard-like vehicleO Due to the slightly deformable, resilient nature of the foa~n substrate~ a user is able to turn and maneuver as he travels down the slide by shifting his weight on the surfboard-like vehicle, thereby obtaining a bite from the deformation of the foam. Further, by banking off the stationary wave-like contours of the apparatus, a user may selectively increase or stall his speed on the apparatus, and cut back transversely across the slope.

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In the preferred embodiment, the vinyl~coa~ed foam substrate is supplied in prefabricated elongate panel sections each includinq vinyl extensions along their edges which permit adjacent panels to be abutted and cemented 5 toyether to form a contiguous covering for the slope.
~dditionally, each of the prefabricated panel sections is provided with one or more primary irrigation ~ubes along its length, which include a plurality of fittings adapted to accept plural irrigation leads extending upward through the foam substrate and terminating at the upper surface o the panel sections. The primary irrigation tubes of each ; ofthe panel sections may be interconnected to a common recirculating water supply to distribute a thin film o water through the distribution tubes and onto the top surface of i:he entire 510pe.
Due to the relatively thick foam substrate covering the entire apparatus, a user, accidentally falling from :i his surfboard-like vehicle, may simply slide down the : slope on his body without injuring himself~ Additionally, 20 due to the apparatus functioning as a wave action simulator without the use of large quantities of wa-ter, the present inventi~n may be installed at substantially all inland locations and efficiently operated throughout the majority of the year.
Description of the Drawings _ _ _ . _ These, as well as other features of the present invention, will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the surfing slide apparatus 10 of the present invention, illustrating a preferred shaped slope configurationr and depicting the : irrigation recirculation system;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the surfing slide of Figure 1 illustrating the brick-like lattice orientation of multiple panel sections thereon;

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Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective ~iew of a portion of two elongate panel se~tions showing tne preferred method of attaching adjacent panel sections together upon the excavation, Figure 3A is an enlarged cross sectional view taken about lines 3A-3~ of Figure 3 showing the preferred manner in which the attachment panels of individual panel sections are secured to the planing surface of an adjacent panel section.
Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a first embodiment of a central irrigation system provided in each of the panel sections;
Figure 4A is an enlarged perspective view of ~ second embodiment of the central irrigation system provided in each of the panel sections;
Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, taken about lines 5-5 of Figure 4J showing the preferred orientation of the irrigation lead lines which extend from the undersurface of the panel sections to the top surface thereof;
Figure 6 i5 a perspective view of one of the stationary wave-like contours formed on th~ sur~ing slide apparatus of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a surfboard-like vehicle which may be utilized on the apparatus of the present invention; and Fi~ure 8 is a cross-sectional view of one of the panels of the present invention illustrating the manner in which the vehicle of Figure 7 permits maneuverability during travel down the apparatus.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Rmbodiment .
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown the surfing slope apparatus 10 of the present invention. The apparatus 10 may be formed in any desired size and configuration and the specific configuration illustrated in Figure 1 is disclosed merely by way of example. The i3~D

surfing slope apparatus 10`is formed on an excavated or shaped slope 12, having a preferred downward inclination of approximately 7 to 20 degrees. The slope 12 includes a plurality of stationary wave-like contours 14 jutting 5 vertically upward from its main planar slope as well as various rises 16 and depressions 18 which form a generally smooth but irregular slope surface The side walls 20 of the slope 12 are preferably disposed in a substantially vertical orientation ~hereas the frontal portion 22 is disposed at a slight upward inclina~ion. By such a configuration, a user is prevented from traveling off the apparatus 10 adjacent the side walls 20 and i~ gradually decelerated upon entry onto the frontal portion 22~
The entire slope 12 is covered with a vinyl~coated resilient substrate 30 which is rigidly attached and . : readily con:Eorms itself to the con~ours of the slope 12.
The resilient substrate 30 is preferably formed rom a ~: plurality of prefabricated elongate panel sections 50 ; which are abutted in an end-for-end and side-by-side orientation upon the slope 12 to ~orm a contiguous surface covering. As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, each of the panel sections 50 is fabricaked having a resilient core 52 ~ formed of a urethane foam or foam rubber material, having : upper and lower vinyl sheets 54 and 56, respectively, ~: 25 rigidly attached to its opposite planar surfaces. In the preferred embodiment, the panel sections 50 are sized to be approximately 54 inches wide and 100 feet in length, having a core thickness of approximately 1 inch.
Both the upper and lower vinyl shee~s 54 and 56 extend a short distance outboard on opposite side edges of the foam core 52 forming upper and lower side attac~nent panels 58 and 60t respectively~ Additionally, the upper vinyl sheet 54 extends a short distance beyond the frontal edge of the foam core 52 forming a front attachment panel 62, whereas the lower vinyl sheet forms a corresponding rear attachment panel 63.

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The preferred method and procedure for installing the panel sections 50 upon th~ slope 12 is illustrated in Figure 3. As shown, a first panel section 50a (Figure 3) is laid upon the slope 12 and oriented such that its length dimension exteslds downward in the general direction of the excavation or shaped slope 12. The panel section 50a i8 subsequently attached to the slope 12 by a plurality of metallic or plastic spikes 64 ~hich are driven through the lower side attachment panel 60 and rear a~tachment panel (not shown) extending into the slope 12 at spaced intervals along the length of the panel section : 50a. With the first panel 50a located upon the excavation, a second panel section 50~ may be juxtapositioned and registered with the irst panel section 50a such that adjacent side edges of the foam core 52 of each of the panel sections 50a and 50b are abutted together. In this abutted orientation, the lower side : attachment panel ~0 of the panel section 50b is positioned to lie beneath a portion of the panel section 50a whereas the upper side attachment panel 58 of the panel 50a overlays a portion of the panel section 50b.
Aligned in such a manner, the upper side attachment panel 58 and adjacent edge portion of the panel section 50a may be rolled back, off the surface of the slope 12 to~
expose the lower side attachment panel 60 of the panel section 50b. Additional spikes 64 may then ~e driven through the lower side attachment panel 60 and rear attachment panel (not shown) of the panel section 5Qb and into the slope 12. A suitable cement or Vi!lyl adhesive : 30 (not shown) may then be applied to the upper surface of the lower side attachmes1t panel 60 of the panel section 50b as well as the lower surface of the upper side attachment panel 58 of the panel section SOa.
Subsequently, the previously rolled back portion OI the panel section 50a may be released and tightly pressed upon the panel section 50b wherein the adhesive interface securely joins the panel sec`tions 50a and 5Ob together. A
think layer of Yinyl coatin~ 71 (shown in Figuyre 3A) may then be applied to ~he exposed edge of the upper side attachment panel 58 of the panel section 50a to y.ield a relatively smooth surface transition between the adjacent panel sections 50a and 50b.
In a similar manner, opposite ends of each of the elongate panel sections 50 may be joined with an additional panel section by use of the frontal and rear attachment panels 62 and 63, respectively. A.s shown in Figure 3, the addi~ional section 50c is juxtapositioned at one end of the panel section 50b such that their foam cores 52 lie in an aligned abutted relation~hip. The frontal attachment panel 62 and end portion of t~e panel section 50b may be rolled off the surface of the slope 12 exposing the rear attachment panel 63 of the panel section :: : 50c. Additional spikes 64 may then be driven through the rear and side attachment panels 63 and 60 of the panel section 50c thereby anchoring the panel 50c to the slope 120 Subsequently/ a suitable adhesive may be applied to the upper surface of the rear attachment panel 63 of the panel section 50c and under surface oE t~e frontal ~ attachment panel 62 of the panel section 50b with the : panel æections 50b and 50c being pressed tightly upon each other to form a secure juncture~ As previously described, a thin vinyl layer 71 (Fiyure 3A) may then be applied over the exposed edge of the frontal attachment panel 62 to : form a substantially smooth sur~ace transition joint between the panels 50b and 50c.
As may be recognized, by such a procedure, multiple panel sections 50 may be anchored to he slope and secured to adjacent panel sections on both sides and opposite ends to form a contiguous vinyl-coated foam covering for the entire su~face of the slope 12. Additionally, as shown in Figure 2 and 3, ~he ends of panel sections 50 in adjacent rows are preferably staggered or offset upon the slope excavation 12 to form a brlck-like lattice construction.
By such an ofset ~taggered arrangement, the discontinuities formed at the abu~ment of the foam cores 52 of adjacent panel sections 50 are dis~ri~uted over the entire surface of the apparatus 10 rather than being concentrated along a single line, so that the strenyth of the vinyl foam covering 30 is maintained throu~h prolonged use.
In the preferred embodiment, ~he contiguous resilient substrate 30 formed by ~he interconnected panel sec~ions is provided with a w~ter irrigation system which distributes a thin film of water over the upper vinyl surface of the apparatus to reduce surface friction and yield a slippery planing surface. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the detailed construction of a irst embodiment of this water 3.rrigation system may be described~
As shown in the first embodiment of the irrigation system, each of the panel sections 50 includes a groove or recess 70 positioned along its lower surfa~e which extends centrally throughout its length. The groove 70 is sized to loosely receive a length of flexible plastic tubing 72 including a plurality of standard "~" fittings 74 paced at intervals along its length. The tubing l.ength 7~ is typically formed of polyvinyl chloride material and is ~5 rigidly affixed and mai.ntained within the recess 70 as by way of an adhesive during manufacturing o~ the prefabricated panel sections 50.
Each of the pipe fittings 74 is sized to ~ccept one end of a flexible distribution tube 76 which may be formed in varying lengths to extend laterally outward ~rom the central tubing length 72 to selected areas of ~he panel section 50. The opposite end of each of the distribution tu~es 76 may be inserted through an aperture 80 formed in the panel section 50 and maintained therein by the application of a suitable adhesive within the aperture 80. As will be recognized, the aperture 80 may be -~ o-manually formed during the installation of the panel section 50 upon theslope 12 ~ alternativel~ prefabricated into the panel section 50 during manufactureA
As shown in Figure 5, the apertures 80 are preferably formed to extend angularly throu~h the panel sections 5Q
and be oriented to face downward upon the slope. The upper end of the distribu~ion tubes 76 are cut along a bias ~o be flu~h mounted with the top vinyl sheet 54 of the panel sections 50 and may be subsequently sealed to the top vinyl sheet 54 by the application of a vinyl coat.ing about its outside diameter. By such an arrangement, it will be recognized that the flexible distribution tubes 76 may deform within the urethane core 52 of each of the panel sections 50 without tearing loose from the upper vinyl sheets 54. Additonally, due to the bias/cut flush mounting with he vinyl sheet 54, a user ma~
harmlessly slide over their exposed opened ends while travel ing down the apparatus 10O
Each o the cent~al tubing lengths 72 of the panel sections 50 is interconnected to form a composite irrigation system by means of suitable couplin~s (not shown) which are positioned during the previously described installation process of the individual panel sections 50 upon the excavation 12. The composite irrigation system is connected as by way of a manifold (not shown) to a water supply introduced at the uppermost elevation of the apparatus 10 such that gravity aids in the flow of water through the irrigation systemJ relea~iny small quantities of water through each of the open ends of the dist`ribution tubes 76.
As shown in Figure 1 t a drain line or collector 40 is preferably provided at the lowerrnost elevation of the slope 12 which receives the water flowirlg down the slope surface of the apparatus 10~ The drain line 40 may be connected in series with a purnp 42 and suitable filtering unit 34 to recirculate the water back to the manifold (not 3~

shown~ at the uppermost elevation of the apparatus whereln the water may again travel ~hrough the composite irrigation system. As will be recognized, the irrigation systeln thus applies a continuous thin film of water to the upper vinyl sheets 54 of the panel sections 50 as depicted in Figure 3.
In those instances where the general downward inclination of the apparatus is great~ it may be necessary to use a second embodiment irrigation system which reduces any pressure gradient within the irrigation system between : the uper and lower portions o the apparatus. The ccnstruction of this second embodiment i~ depicted in Figure 4A wherein instead of the centra]. tubing 72, each of the panel sections 50 includes plural primary tubing sections 73 which are spaced along the length ther~of and extend laterally across the width of the panel sections ; 50. ~ach of the primary tube sections 73 is provided with : a plurality of distribution tubes 75 which as with the distribution tubes 76 of Figures 4 and 5 preferably are attached to the primary tube sections 71 by way of a T
connection and extended angularly through panel sections 50 bein~ bias/cut at their upper end to be flush mounted : with the top vinyl sheet 54.
Each of the primary tubing sections 71 of the panel`
sections 50 may be interconnected by way o~ a coupling : (not shown) to a corresponding tubing section of an adjacent panel section 50 to form a cornposite irrigation system during the previously described inst~llation process of the individual panel sections 50 upon the slope 12. Once interconrlected upon the excavation, each of the : primary sections 71 may be connected to a suitable manifold (not shown) extending throughout the length and ; on one side of the apparatus which is cannected to a suitable water supply~ Further, the manifold may include conventional pressure regulation means to ensure that constant pressure is applied to each of ~he interconnecte~

~ 12-primary tube sections 71 along the length o the apparatus. ~ ~
In Figure 6, the detailed construction of one of ~he stationary wave-like contours 14 of the present inven~ion is depicted~ The excavation 12 in the vicinity of the wave-like contour 14 is formed to protrude vertically upward having a substantially convex ou~er surface configuration. The upper portion 90 of the wave-like contours 14 is typically formed having a tooth-like cro~s-sectional configuration such that opposite sides of thewave form 14 both approximate the crest of a wave~
Although the upper por~ion 90 of the wave form 14 may be formed of earth fill, it is preferable to fabricate the portion 90 from either concrete which is poured in place upon the excavation 12, or rigid urethane foam which may be prefabricated and positioned upon the excavation 12.
In either instance, the upper portion 90 may be anchored to the excavation by plural support rods 91 extending a substantial distance into both the upper portions 90 and ; 20 eXcavation 12.
The entire wave form 14 is covered with one or more resilient vinyl panel sections 50 in a manner previously described and interconnected to adjacent panel section 50 to form a contiguous surface covering. The particular configuration of the wave form 14 may be varied to provide differing shaped wave contours; however, it is preferable that the uppermost surfaces 92 of the upper portion 90 extend outwardly from the center line of the wave form 14 so that a user is prevented frorn passing over the wave form 14 during travel down the apparatus 10.
Although the present inven~ion is designed to permit a user to plan~ down the apparatus on his body, tire inner tube or a mat, typically a board vehicle 100, specifically adapted for use upon the apparatus 10, will be utilized by 3S a user to simulate ocean wave board surfing~ As shown in Figure 7, the board vehicle 100, preferably fabricated of 563~

a fiberglass, a semi-rigid polymer, or vinyl-coated rigid urethane substrate, is ~formed~ having a generally surfboard-like configuration including a wedge-shaped rudder member 10~ formed along its lower surface~ (Note that in Figure 7 ~he board vehicle 100 is shown in an inverted orientation for purposes of illus~ration.~ The rudder member 102 is preferably tapered, initiating at a distance spaced from the front end 101 of the board 100 and increasing in height as well as width dimensions as it approaches the board's rear end 103. The lower surface of the board may be formed in a generally planar configuration or alternatively with a slight convexity to augment maneuverability upon the apparatus 10~
With the structure defined, the operation and specific manner in which the apparatus 10 of the present invention simulates natural ocean wave surfing conditions may be described. As shown in Figure 1, a user may stand or kneel upon the board vehicle 100 and embark upon the apparatus at its uppermost elvation. Due to the thin film of water distributed over the upper vinyl sheets 54 of the panel sections 50 and the downward inclincation of the excavation 12, the user accelerates as he travels generally downward upon the apparatu~ 10.
~The speed of travel on the apparatus may be controlled ;25 by the user selectively positioning his body weight upon either the frontal portion of the board vehicle 100, wherein the smooth concave lower surface of the board vehicle may freely plane across the thin film of water, or alternatively upon the rear p~rtion of the vehicle 100, wherein the rudder member 102 is forced downward thereby deforming the foam cores 52 of the panel sections 50 and displacing the water film to increases frictional drag.
ManeuYerability is additionally provided by the user shifting his weight upon the board vehicle 100 causing the 35 rudder member 102 to selectively deform the foam core 52 of the panel sections 50. As shown in Figure 8, by 563~

shifting body weight laterally upon the board vehicle 100, a user may depress the por~ion 1~6 of the ~oam core 52 lying on one side of the rudder section 102 causing the portion 105 of the ~oam core 50 lying on the other side of the rudder section 102 to raise vertically upward due to the depression and corresponding rai~ng of the foam between the board vehicle 100 and the core 52 is selectively increased which causes the board vehicle 100 to be urged in the path of least resistance. As such, the frictional forces permit a user to obtain a "bi~e" from the foam core 52, thereby generating user-selected directional chang~s upon the apparatus.
As will be recognized, the resilient vinyl surface covering 30 of the apparatus deforms ti.e.~ reacts) in a proportional manner to the shifting of weight upon the board 100, with the greater foam depression 106 generating greater frictional drag and permitting greater direction changes. As such, a use~ may traverse down the apparatus, banking off the wave-like contours 14 to selectively increa~e and decrease speed andshifting his body wei~ht upon theboard vehicle 100 to obtain a "bite'~ rom the foam core to cut back and stall during travel down the apparatus. Thus, board suring can be effectively simulated on the apparatus 10 In the preferred embodiment/ the apparatus 10 is formed to provide a plurality of discrete paths of travel down the slope I indicated by the arrows in Figure 1. By proper excavation, shaping or constructionr each of the paths may be calibrated to provide varying levels of skill 30 and speed thereby accommodating both novice and experienced users. In addition, a children's pa~h may be provided which extends substantially straight down the slope without encountering any wave forms 14 or large surface irregularities.
Although in the preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that the surfboard-like vehicle 102 (as shown in Figure 8) will be utilized upon the apparatus 10, it is within the scope of the presen~ invention that other similar board structures, such as sleds or rnats, may be utilized without departing from the spirit of the present 5 invention. Additionallyr due to the thin layer of water flowing down the apparatus 10, as well as the soft resilient foam core 52 of the individual panel sections 50, users falling off the vehicle apparatus may travel harmlessly down the slope, safely decelerating when they reach the ~rontal portion 22 of the apparatus.
As such, it will be recognized that the present invention provides a relatively low cost aquatic amusement apparatus which simulates the natural wave action ; encountered during surfing, while eliminating the substantial safety and site location di~ficulties heretofore associated in prior art wave simulating apparatusO

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Claims (30)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An amusement apparatus for simulating riding motion over an ocean wave as encountered in ocean surfing, comprising:
a shaped slope having a generally downward inclination to provide a desired rate of descent;
a plurality of prefabricated panel sections positioned on said slope forming a relatively seamless covering with a smooth surface finish on which a user may slidably travel, said panel sections adapted to deform to direct a user's path in response to forces exerted against them by said user in sliding travel, each of said sections comprising:
an upper and a lower thin surface sheet, said upper sheet having a smooth surface finish to provide a slippery surface when wet;
a resilient core disposed between said surface sheets;
means for interconnecting said panel section to provide a relatively seamless upper smooth surface including means for anchoring said panel sections to said slope; and means for applying a thin film of water upward through open-ings distributed throughout the upper surface to the smooth surface of said upper sheet in continuum.

2. The amusement apparatus of claim 1, wherein said interconnecting means comprises:
an extended portion of said upper surface sheet extending outwardly along the peripheral edges of said core; and an extended portion of said lower surface sheet extending outwardly along the peripheral edges of said core, each of said panel sections positioned adjacent to and along an edge of another panel section with said upper and lower surface sheet extended portions overlaying and underlaying the respective upper and lower surfaces of adjacent panel sections and bonded thereto.

3. The amusement apparatus of claim 2 wherein said upper extended portion of the surface sheet extends from two edges of said panel section, and said lower extended portion extends from two edges of said panel section.

4. The amusement apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water applying means is included within each prefabri-cated panel section positioned beneath and extending through said upper surface sheet to flexibly cooperate with said resilient core to yield when said panel section is deformed by a user sliding thereon.

5. The amusement apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resilient core is enclosed within said upper and lower surface sheets.

6. The amusement apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resilient core is affixed to said upper and lower surface sheets.

7. The amusement apparatus of claim 1 further com-prising one or more raised wave-like contours formed on said shaped slope, having a generally concave outer surface configuration and adapted to permit a user to bank there against during the sliding travel down said slope.

8. The amusement apparatus of claim 7 with each wavelike contour comprising: a formed support having substantially concave lateral surface;

means for anchoring said support;
a plurality of said panel sections covering said con-toured surface and affixed thereto, to form an unin-terrupted surface covering with a smooth surface; and said water applying means applying a thin film of water to the smooth surface of said panel sections in continuum.

9. The amusement apparatus of claim 7 wherein said wavelike contours are positioned to form a curvlinear path having a generally downward inclination.

10. An amusement apparatus for simulating riding motion over a wave as encountered in ocean surfing comprising:
a shaped slope having a generally downward inclina-tion to provide a desired rate of descent;
a plurality of prefabricated panel sections positioned on said slope and interconnected to form a relatively seamless smooth surface covering having a slippery surface when wet, said panel sections being adapted to deform in response to a user's sliding travel thereover to direct a user's path; and a means for applying a thin film of water to the surface of said smooth covering in continuum, a section of said water applying means being positioned in each of said prefabricated panel sections and comprising:
at least one fluid conduit positioned in and extend-ing through said panel section;
one or more distribution tubes positioned within said panel section, having one end connected to said conduit and a second opposite end opening through and to said smooth surface of the panel section; and coupling means for interconnecting said fluid con-duits to adjacent ones of each of said panel sections; and means for supplying water to said interconnected fluid conduits.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 or 10 wherein said shaped slope includes plural surface irregularities to selectively increase and decrease the descent of said user upon said slope.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 or 10 wherein said shaped slope includes a frontal portion adjacent its low-er-most elevation having a slight upward inclination to gradually decelerate a user after travel down said slope.

13. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said second end of the distribution tube opening to said smooth surface extends angularly through said panel section from said conduit forming an acute angle with said surface to flexibly cooperate with said panel section when it is deformed.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said second end of the distribution tube is bonded to said smooth surface in a flush manner.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said water applying means additionally comprises:
means for supplying and recirculating water through said conduits and distribution tubes when said panel sections are interconnected.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 or 10 further comprising a vehicle adapted to be ridden by a user on said covering, said vehicle cooperating with said covering to permit a user to maneuver during travel down said slope.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said vehicle comprises an elongate member, including rudder means on one surface thereof for selectively deforming said covering in response to the shifting of a user's body weight on said elongate member.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said rudder means comprises a wedge-shaped protrusion on said one surface of said elongate member initiating at a distance spaced from one end of said elongate member and increasing in height and width toward the opposite end of said elongate member.

19. A method for adapting a hillside to form an amusement device characterized by simulating a natural wave action encountered during ocean surfing by:
shaping said hillside to form a sloped surface having one or more surface irregularities, and a downward inclination sufficient to provide a desired rate of descent;
covering said sloped surface with a smooth planing surface; and applying a sufficient quantity of water onto said planing surface to flood said planing surface with a water film to permit a user to plane down said sloped surface.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, further characterized by forming one or more raised barriers on said sloped surface having a generally concave outer surface configuration approximating the crest of an ocean wave.

21. A method as claimed in claim 19 or 20, character-ized in that said covering step comprises covering said sloped surface with a deformable layer having a resilient lower surface pad and a slippery upper surface.

22. A method as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that said smooth planing surface comprises a plurality of individual deformable panel sections and said covering step comprises:
placing said plurality of said panel sections upon said sloped surface;
juxtapositioning said plurality of panel sections so that adjacent panel sections are abutted together along opposite edges; and securing adjacent panel sections together along said edges to form a continuous covering for said sloped surface.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that said panel sections include attachment panels extending outboard along their opposite edges, and between said juxtapositioning step and said securing step, said method comprising the further steps of:
placing one of said attachment panels of one of said plurality of panel sections to underlay an edge of an adjacent panel section;
affixing said one of said attachment panels said sloped surface;
placing the corresponding one of said attachment panels located on said edge of said adjacent panel sections to overlay an edge of said one of said plurality of said panel sections; and repeating said above steps for all of said plurality of said panel sections.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23 characterized in that said securing step comprises:
applying an adhesive to the respective portion of each of said attachment panels which underlay and overlap said edges of said plurality of said panel sections.

25. A method as claimed in claim 24, further characterized by:
applying a flexible material to each of said attachment panels overlaying said panel sections to for a generally smooth transition between said attachment panels and said upper surface of said panel sections.

26. A method as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that said panel sections each include an irrigation conduit positioned beneath said planing surface and said covering step additionally comprises:
connecting one end of a distribution tube to said irrigation conduit;
extending the other end of said distribution tube outward from said conduit to a selected area of said panel section;
inserting the other end of said tube through said panel section to expose said other end to said smooth planing surface; and affixing said other end of said tube to said panel section to maintain said tube in said inserted position.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26, further characterized by comprising:
inserting said other end of said tube to extend angularly through said panel section, so that said other end of said tube forms an acute angle with said planing surface.

28. A method as claimed in claim 27, further characterized by comprising:
cutting said other end of said tube along a bias to permit said other end to be flush mounted with said planing surface.

29. A method as claimed in claim 19, further characterized by providing a vehicle adapted to support a user on said deformable layer during travel down said sloped surface.

30. A method as claimed in claim 29, further characterized by:
forming a rudder member on said vehicle adapted to selectively deform said deformable layer in an amount proportional to the shifting of said user's body weight on opposite sides of said rudder member, said deformation permitting said user to maneuver during travel down said sloped surface.