Bournemouth surf reef set to open 'very soon' (From Bournemouth Echo)

Bournemouth surf reef set to open 'very soon'

7:00pm Monday 28th September 2009

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EUROPE’S first artificial Boscombesurfreef/" target="_blank">surf reef is likely to be open "very soon", Bournemouth’s tourism director has revealed.

The long-awaited launch of the £3 million Boscombe attraction is dependent on the contract being signed off and favourable weather conditions to allow staff training on the reef.

Mark Smith said safety concerns expressed in emails between Bournemouth council and developer, ASR, had been resolved.

The council’s major engineering developments manager, Geoff Turnbull, said an inspection by divers on August 29 had found gaps between sandbags down the spine of the reef up to 1.5 m (4.9ft) wide.

Earlier he voiced concern for users’ safety, asking: “Are they safe for those using the reef?”

Developer ASR dismissed concerns over the gaps, stating that all artificial reefs built with similar construction techniques had similar gaps.

A spokesman added: “The reef is not for inexperienced surfers and there is an inherent risk related to surfing, whether on artificial, or natural, reefs.”

Mr Smith stressed that the correspondence between the council and ASR had been “fine tuning”.

“Safety is paramount and we have had to go through everything before the contract is signed off. The final snagging list included a pair of pliers that had got stuck in the netting.

“Following ASR’s explanation that the gaps are all part of the design and help the water flow we are satisfied that the safety of reef users is not being put at risk. Plymouth University has also confirmed that the design is right.

“We now need to have the final official survey of the height of the reef which will hopefully be today or tomorrow. Provided the engineers are happy the project will get signed off from the construction point of view.

“But we can’t launch the reef until surfing conditions are favourable and staff are properly trained; they need at least half a day’s practical training. “With the right weather and sea conditions it is possible that the reef could be launched later this week. We can’t give an exact day but are really confident that the launch date will be very soon. ”

For all the pictures of the development of the surf reef and to watch our video on how it works, visit bournemouthecho.co.uk/surf_reef

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beachhut, Southbourne says...
8:17pm Mon 28 Sep 09

Well the hour is upon us, soon the Surf Reef will be open for business, as the waiting hordes watch the flat calm of the bay. They are all waiting to go in the moment one small ripple hits the artificial reef and become a 10 metre surfers dream. Now thats the dream sequence over any local wishing to use the tax payers reef must first under go professional training to prove they can handle surfing the sunami wild ride. I presume the repayment comes from the cost of getting a sticker to say your good enough to use it. I agree with the Boscombe regeneration, but just how this links in with Boscombe baffles me as it precludes many locals having a go using the front door of the nextdoor neighbors flat.