First Artificial Surf Reef for Europe
Innovative Marine Project at Boscombe Set to Create Ripping Waves
Jul 4, 2009
The idea of an artificial surf reef for Bournemouth, England was first mooted in 1998. Bournemouth Borough Council was keen to regenerate and revitalise the run-down Boscombe Spa area of the town and make it more attractive to visitors all year round. The existing and well established surfing community already make the most of the swell by Boscombe pier in the winter.
A feasibility study was undertaken and the proposal to place several sand filled geo-textile bags (creating a reef about the size of a soccer pitch) off Boscombe beach was agreed. The bags won’t create waves but the science indicates they will enhance any waves that come along. The best analogy is that the effect will be a bit like wearing a push up bra rather than going for the full surgical implant.
Reef Construction Delayed Due to Licensing Issues
Designed by marine expert Dr Kerry Black, the reef did not require planning permission but Bournemouth Borough Council needed to get approval from the Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA). The MFA, an executive agency of the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, needed to be satisfied that the construction would not cause any environmental damage to the coast.
This need for a special environment licence caused a considerable delay to the project particularly as local fishermen objected to the plans because they were worried about the depletion of fish stocks in the area. But after holding talks with the fishermen, the Council managed to reach an agreement in principle concerning the construction and how the environmental impact would be monitored.
Work Begins on Artificial Reef at Boscombe
The MFA finally granted the licence on 13th December 2007 and work began in the spring of 2008 with anticipated completion in October 2008. But there were delays again when the poor weather conditions in the summer of 2008 hampered progress. Work on it stopped in the autumn of 2008 when the weather conditions and shorter days did not allow for safe working sessions. So the team left for the winter.
Surf Reef Completion Expected in September 2009
The reef engineers arrived back in Bournemouth in April 2009 and as long as the weather remains good, Europe’s first artificial surf reef is set to be completed by September. A whole raft of business enterprise has sprung up in direct response to the project such as surf schools, beach bistros and water sport equipment shops. This can only help the regeneration of Boscombe Spa.
Costs of First European Artificial Reef
The cost of the project was originally estimated in 2006 at just under £1.4 million and was considered to be the best that could be made given the fact that a project of this type had never been undertaken in Britain or, indeed, Europe before. But, once the detailed plans were drawn up and finalised, and costs associated with additional delays were added in, the final artificial surf reef cost came to £3.03 million.
The surf reef was finally declared ready for surfing and publically launched on November 2nd 2009. Read about it this article Boscombe Artificial Surf Reef Officially Opened.
Sources:
- Bournemouth Borough Council Meeting Minutes
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