Boscombe Surf Reef

The official website for the Boscombe Surf Reef

Reef closure to allow maintenance and repair work

Following a scheduled six monthly inspection of the reef the Council is advising people not to use the reef whilst further work is being completed and maintenance work is being performed.

The routine inspection carried out on 23 March shows that substantial changes have altered the profile of the reef structure.  Preliminary inspections suggested that this may alter current flows over the reef and these need to be carefully assessed to guide the remedial works scheduled for 2011 that will improve performance and maintain health and safety.

Tony Williams, Executive Director for Bournemouth Council, commented; “We’re aware that significant changes have altered the structure of the reef and we have commissioned further investigation to be carried out to provide more detail.  Until we know further information we are erring on the side of caution and advising people not to use the reef.

 “We have made ASR aware of the results of the recent survey and have requested details on how they will dovetail with the refinement works scheduled to be carried out this spring.  We have been in discussion with ASR and they have confirmed they will be returning to Bournemouth to do their own assessment soon.

“Given that surfing is an extreme sport and always includes an element of risk, health and safety surrounding the surf reef project has been paramount from the start, from planning stages through construction to completion and this high level of safety continues.”

Nick Behunin, Managing Director of ASR Ltd; said, “We have only recently received the information from the preliminary inspection and we are currently evaluating it. 

“Now that the winter surf season is coming to an end work can begin.”

Mr Williams added; “The Council is optimistic that ASR can address these issues and implement the planned refinement works.”

ENDS

Bournemouth Borough Council has built Europe’s first artificial surf reef at Boscombe, Bournemouth. The reef is 220m offshore and just east of Boscombe Pier.  The reef is made up of 55 giant sandbags and is the size of a football pitch.

The reef is not a wave machine. It doesn’t create waves from nothing, but acts as a ramp, pushing existing waves upwards and shaping them into better quality surfing waves.

If you're interested in watersports or things to do in Bournemouth, then you'll love our Coast With The Most website that will keep you up-to-date with where to learn new sports, what sea and wind conditions are like and exciting sporting events taking place along our great coastline.

This printable leaflet answers all your questions about the surf reef. On this website you can watch videos on how the reef was constructed and learn about how to surf safely. You can learn about the marine life also enjoying the Surf Reef.

This mini-documentary tells the story of the surf reef

Remember, Boscombe beach also hosts the famous HemingwayDesign Beach pods which you can rent throughout the year or buy to enjoy exclusively!

See for yourself as the official website of the Boscombe surf reef saw Aussie surf journalist Ben Mondy, an ex-editor of Tracks magazine and contributor to Surfer, Carve and Surf Europe, be one of the first to surf the new reef at Bournemouth. Here he gives his take on it ... 

To see some incredible photographs of the reef in action, just click the following links:

Image 1     Image 2     Image 3

Follow the Surf Reef on Twitter: www.twitter.com/boscombereef

And if you love watersports, then you'lllove our Coast With The Most website!

Members of the media, please visit the media page.

 

Have a look at our webcam to see pictures of Boscombe Beach and the surf reef.

Here's a link to Sorted Surf Shop and their webcam and daily surf report. For full forecast information, visit Coast WIth The Most.