After 12 years of campaining we have finally got the go ahead to put Englands first artifical reef designed just for surfing in Bournemouth on the southcoast. The wessex surf clubs would like to thank all those who have helped in the struggle against the tide of opinion and the forward thinking of the local council.
Congratulations! Your news is refreshing. Many communities don’t see the value of surfing as a legitimate means of recreation or of possible commerce. I wish you well and keep us posted as to the progress.
Wow - is this official Joe? Very interested to see how (if) the thing works. From my understanding, artificial reefs have the potential to increase actual wave size - much needed on the south coast eh?
I haven’t heard of one yet tho that actually does work - I may be wrong here tho. Good luck with it all - bet you’re looking forward to all the london weekenders swarming down there.
Silverback
Hi Joe
What is the predicted swell size that this reef is going to work on and by how much do they recon its going to increase the swell. Bournmouth is’nt much of a swell magnet. They could do with building a few mid to high tide reefs around the British Ilse especially on the more exposed coastlines.
Cheers mate
Grant (Wiltshire)
Apparently the reef will jack up any swell 2.5 times, and should lead to a couple of other break next door to the reef.
We could do with it as it’s been a really bad season for bournemouth!!
The only downers that we can see are going to be the new crowds (theres already 50 people in the water who surf boscombe pier year round)
Plus to gain funding the council have sold all the carparks to a developer, which will be building flats on the beach.
But then again it’s going to be a screaming right hander (fair trade)
cheers joe