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Many Resorts on England’s South Coast have the dubious honour of vying for the honour of being known as ‘God’s Waiting Room’, as they are the chosen destination of many retirees, who wait out the rest of their lives in the warmth of the seaside. Bournemouth is not one of these and the Council, in an imaginative move, has spent money to prove it.
Selling an underutilised car park for the development of apartments (many no doubt to be bought by people waiting for Goddo) the Council has invested £8 million of the money raised in the creation of Britain’s first artificial surfing reef, joining Plymouth where an artificial reef was created by the sinking of former frigate HMS Scylla as an reef for divers.
Cross section of the reef structure
Bournemouth’s reef will be quite different, being specially designed to generate a grade 5 wave on a day with good swell which is in the challenging range (Hawaii Pipeline is a grade 8). The reef will act as a ramp, pushing waves upwards, doubling in size, and shaping them into good-quality surfing waves. Doubling the height of the surf will also mean that the number of good surfing days will double. The reef will make three waves – waves on the reef and two more good banks inshore on the beach. In calm weather, such as July or August, the reef will create a ‘lagoon’ along the shoreline.
The reef in will be located to the east of Boscombe Pier (about 2.5 kilometres from Bournemouth Pier) and the submerged reef will take up approximately one hectare (the size of a football pitch) which will be 225 metres from the shoreline. The reef mimics the effects of a natural reef and will be built from large geo-textile bags pumped hard with sand. The sandbags weigh up to 2,500 tonnes and biggest are up to 70m long, 2m high and 6m wide, so once they are in place nothing will move them (why does a little voice in my mind say ‘famous last words?’ given the power of the sea)!
It is likely that marine life will thrive on the reef and there will be no damaging effects to the beach. Bournemouth Borough Council is working closely with Bournemouth University and marine biologists at Bournemouth’s Oceanarium to monitor marine life. Although the reason for building the reef is for regeneration and leisure, expert opinion says that it may also help with coastal defences.
Dr Kerry Black, designer of the reef says: “Boscombe is a really great place to live and the redevelopment is turning the town into a fantastic place to visit – surfing, windsurfing, redevelopment of the foreshore and the pier will make it a great place to come and relax. The surfing conditions mean you won’t have to travel so far to get a great wave, and with the growth and interest in the sport the UK’s surfers can enjoy a great time in a great environment with the challenge to get a great wave! Knock on positive effects for the tourism have been amazing and really grounded the town. There’s publicity and a buzz for the whole community to feel alive and vibrant – clearly broader than just surfers, it’s a lifestyle.”
 Exterior of the Overstrand -see page two for moer information on how this will house 'surf pods'
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The reef will be 225 metres offshore, with the RNLI providing rescue services if needed - it is not going to be suitable for beginners apparently
Entrance to the 'Surf pods'see page two for more information)
Boscombe Overstrand 'surf pods'
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