| Europe’s first artificial surf reef being built in Bournemouth |
| Thursday, 11 September 2008 09:50 |
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Europe’s first artificial surf reef is currently being built in Boscombe, Bournemouth this year and is set to put Bournemouth firmly on the UK surf map. The reef acts as a ramp which changes the way the waves break. The reef will improve the quality of the surf and produce a right-hand ride of around 75 metres. As a result, the number of good surfing days will increase. Bournemouth already has an established surfing community, but the reef will draw more visitors to the area, enhancing the water sports on offer which includes kite-surfing, windsurfing, wake-boarding, kayaking, SCUBA-diving, sailing and skim-boarding. The licence to build the reef was granted by the Marine and Fisheries Agency in December 2007. Land-based construction started on the reef 16th July 2008 with the rolling out of the geo-mat which is the base layer of reef and prevents the reef from sinking into the seabed and being moved by the force of the sea. Weather permitting, the reef is anticipated to be completed by the end of October 2008 surf season. To monitor the progress and view regular updates of the reef, visit www.thesurfreef.co.uk Specialist construction material for the reef, the ecologically sound geo-textile bags came from Australia, with the webbing base from New Zealand. Roger Brown, Head of Leisure Services at Bournemouth Borough Council, says: “The area of Bournemouth and Poole already has an excellent reputation as a leading water sports destination, however the reef will make surfing in the UK far more accessible. What we are providing is a good surfing break, in a cosmopolitan, thriving resort alongside great facilities and award-winning beaches.” Boscombe is currently enjoying an £10million make-over. Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway MBE are designing luxury beach huts in the Overstrand complex, on Boscombe promenade, offering all the mod-cons expected by the 21st century surfer and holiday maker. Boscombe Victorian Chine Gardens have been transformed, Boscombe Pier end has been demolished and rebuilt and the seafront is being re-landscaped. The surf reef and super beach huts will be accompanied by a surf retail outlet, a surfing school and a glass-fronted restaurant offering fantastic panoramic views of Bournemouth and the Solent. There will also be a catering outlet selling good-quality food-to-go, an RNLI beach lifeguard station, changing rooms, toilets and warm showers, all contributing to the major transformation of Boscombe seafront. For more information visit www.thesurfreef.co.uk or call Bournemouth Tourism on 0845 051 1700. Please note – the surf reef will not generate waves, but will amplify the existing surf. It has been reported that the reef will create 13ft waves. This is not correct as the surf reef is expected to increase the size and improve quality of the existing surf.
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