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| News articles kindly provided by Bournemouth Council - bournemouthsurfreef.co.uk making sure bournemouthreef.com is kept up to date with all the latest news about the reef. |
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| October 10th 2008 |
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Having had such bad bouts of weather over the summer months, the first part of section 2 of the Bournemouth reef has only just gone down. The expert team of divers from ASR
installed this section last Thursday. The original plan was to deploy the reef in one large section, but the bad weather made splitting section 2
of the reef into two sections easier.
Thursday saw the first part of section 2 being laid which will be filled with sand prior to the second part being installed. We are hoping for more news about
the current timescales of the reef in the next few days after a council meeting yesterday. We will of course keep you informed as soon as we have any news!
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| November 12th 2008 - Work stopped until April 2009 |
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Further to our disappointing news a couple of weeks ago that the reef was looking unlikely to be finished this year, it has been confirmed today
that all work has stopped until April 2009. After talks between ASR and Bournemouth Council, it has been agreed that the weather over the winter months
will not be good enough for laying the remaining sections of the reef. After returning in April, ASR plan to finish the reef construction by September 2009.
The pile of sand (which has been seen on the beach) for filling the reef bags will remain over the winter months. The rest of the reef materials will be kept in a secure location.
If you have any questions, why not contact us and we will endeavor to get you answers.
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| October 27th 2008 - We might be waiting a bit longer |
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Although we have been hearing that work has been delayed with the Bournemouth reef, today it has been confirmed that the chances of it being completed this year look slim.
Everyone has been working extremely hard and at every opportunity to get the reef finished, but the poor weather we have had over the summer and autumn has meant that work
kept having to stop. This is primarily because the sea in Boscombe needs to be calm to get the reef down. This will unfortunately also mean that the prime surfing season will be missed this year.
I'm sure a lot of people will be disappointed with this news, but everyone involved has been doing everything they can to move things along. The other positive note is that it has taken nearly
15 years to get this far from the initial concept, so a few more months will fly by! We will of course keep you updated with any changes.
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August 29th 2008 - Bournemouth Reef gets its feet wet
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It is official - Bournemouth Reef has taken to the water!! With BBC news articles dating back to 2000, the reef has clearly been a long time in the planning
and today marks a momentous day for everyone involved in the reef project and those who are eagerly anticipating its arrival.
The reef team have been waiting several weeks for the wind to drop enough for the geo mat, webbing and bags to be transported from Poole (where it is being constructed) and placed in the
location next to Boscombe pier.
The actual mechanics involved in fixing the reef meant attaching the mat and webbing to five tonne anchors on the sea bed by professional divers. The reef was then slowly unfolded and put into the water.
The next stage is to fill all the geo-bags with sand which takes between 1 and 4 hours depending on the size of the bags. If you have been down to Boscombe beach recently, you will have seen the enormous pile of sand which will be used. This also made a great vantage point for reef workers to watch the air show this weekend!
Bournemouthreef.com would like to congratulate everyone on the council who has been involved with the reef and ASR for such a fantastic milestone!!!
Come back soon for lots of pictures and videos of what the area surrounding the reef construction currently looks like!
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August 6th 2008 - 10 tonne first reef section is concertinaed
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After days of waiting patiently for the high winds to drop, and despite blustery winds and miserable weather, ASR Ltd completed a highly visual part of the land-based reef construction process yesterday (5th August). Huge cranes folded the first section of the reef, measuring approx 50m by 40m, which makes up one fifth of the total volume, several times into a concertina. This was to enable ASR Ltd to move the reef section onto a barge. The reef section which normally weighs approximately 5 tonnes and makes up a third of the base layer of the reef, weighed 10 tonnes after getting water-logged after heavy rainfall.
Click on the pictures to zoom in
What happened yesterday?
Shackles and extra straps were added to each third of the reef section.
Two giant cranes lifted two 30m spreader beams. Each beam weighed 3 tonnes.
The straps attached to the reef section were then attached to various points of the spreader bars.
The cranes then lifted the first third of the reef section and folded it.
A second lot of straps, along the next third of the reef section were then attached to the spreader bars and the reef section lifted. This process was repeated until the reef was concertinaed up. The cranes then moved the reef section onto the barge. When weather conditions are absolutely flat and perfect (there is no swell or wind), the barge will be brought to Boscombe.
The reef was concertinaed up to enable one end of the reef to be attached to anchors on Boscombe seabed. The barge will then be pulled out from under the reef, so that the section lays on the sea’s surface. It will then sink and be pulled taut into place with accuracy.
Information, videos and updates on the surf reef construction can be found at www.bournemouth.co.uk
Meanwhile, what’s going on in Boscombe?
Sand is being refined before it will be pumped at high-speed into the bags. This has been collated into a huge mound. The 260 metre-long flexible pipe used to pipe sand from Boscombe beach out to the reef section when it is in place is being bolted together. Pumping and diving machinery is being prepared.
It will take up to 4 hours to fill each bag. 55 bags in total will make up the entire reef.
Information, videos and updates on the surf reef construction can be found at www.bournemouth.co.uk
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July 2008 - The work begins
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Work has now commenced on the building of the reef at Boscombe beach. The geo-mat (which is
the size of a football pitch) is being rolled out and sewn together ready to be put on a barge
and taken out to sea. Webbing is then sewn onto the mat which the geotextile bags are then attached to. The
bags act as a ramp to push the waves up as the natural waves hit the reef construction. In total the reef is made
up of five bags which will be filled individually (with sand), taken out and attached to the webbing. This will take approximately
three months. Come back soon to see pictures of the work going on at Boscombe beach.
Click the image below to see the BBC video about the reef construction:
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12th May 2008 - Contracts signed for the construction of the surf reef
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Bournemouth Borough Council has today contracted New Zealand-based ASR Ltd to construct the first artificial surf reef in the northern hemisphere in Boscombe. The contract is performance-based, to ensure the reef will perform to pre-stated standards. The contract also requires the reef to be completed by 31st December 2008 at the latest. The core construction period will be July-October and the estimated completion date remains the end of October, depending on weather conditions.
Councillor Stephen MacLoughlin, Leader of Bournemouth Borough Council says: "The deal has been done to bring the long-awaited surf reef to Boscombe to revive the area. It will be the most innovative sports and tourist attraction in the South. The public can be assured that the reef will definitely be completed at the latest by the end of this year. ASR Ltd had previously been commissioned as designers of the reef and will now use their expert knowledge in this highly complex marine construction project to achieve the performance requirements specified by the Council."
The first delivery of construction materials, which includes the webbing base and the first consignment of geo-textile bags, is due to arrive in Southampton Docks in late June. The bags will then be transported to an undisclosed area in Dorset where they will be assembled onto the webbing base at a harbour-side location. They will then be loaded onto a barge for deployment at the Boscombe site.
Nick Behunin, Managing Partner of, ASR Ltd says: "We are pleased to be introducing Europe’s first artificial surfing reef as part of the Boscombe regeneration plan. We believe our ground-breaking technology will be integral in increasing tourism to the area. It’s exciting to see how Bournemouth Council is going further than the other destinations in the world where we have built surf reefs, with significant additional investment in the infrastructure and facilities surrounding the reef. The regeneration of Boscombe, with the revitalisation of the Pier, Overstrand and new surfing facilities, restaurants and shops are really transforming Boscombe into an exciting surfing destination in the UK."
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1st April 2008 - From Australia to Boscombe - Surf Reef bags ordered
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Bournemouth Borough Council has announced it has now placed orders for the specialist bags and webbing base for the construction of the artificial surf reef in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset.
The reef, the first of its kind in the northern hemisphere, is being built in Boscombe, Bournemouth this year and is set to put the holiday resort firmly on the UK surf map. The reef will also be enjoyed by kite-surfers, wind-surfers, kayakers, snorkellers and SCUBA-divers.
The reef will act as a ramp, pushing waves upwards, doubling their size and improving their quality for surfers. As a result, the number of good surfing days will be doubled. Bournemouth already has an established surfing community, but the reef will act as a draw for visitors to the area, enhancing water sports on offer including kite-surfing, windsurfing, wake-boarding, kayaking, SCUBA-diving, paddle-boarding, sailing and skim-boarding.
The contracts with a total value of over £500,000 have been let with ELCO, the Australian-based geotextile* bag manufacturer and Unique, the New Zealand based webbing manufacturer. The companies have developed these specialised products in associated with ASR Ltd, the New Zealand-based company which has designed the reef.
The webbing base and 55 bags, which vary in length from 15 metres to 70 metres will cover an area the size of a football pitch, and be positioned underwater 225 metres out to sea to the east of Boscombe Pier.
The first of three consignments, which will include the webbing base and first section of the bottom layer of bags, will arrive in the UK at the end of May 2008, having travelled 12,000 miles (19,000 km) by sea. The reef will be constructed during the summer months, when there are calmer sea conditions. The sand needed to construct the reef has been harvested from the beach replenishment programmes that took place in 2007 and 2008, and is being stored on Boscombe beach.
New Zealand-based Dr Kerry Black is the designer of the reef. ASR Ltd, Dr Kerry Black’s company, has been revealed as the constructor of the reef, on a performance-based contract, ensuring the reef will perform to pre-stated standards.
Stephen Macloughlin, Leader of Bournemouth Borough Council says: “The idea of building Europe’s first artificial surf reef in Boscombe, Bournemouth has been transformed from an exciting proposal, to a reality. The construction timetable is on track to allow the reef to be completed, providing there are favourable weather conditions, by the end of October this year. As ASR Ltd has been commissioned on a performance-based contract to construct the reef, this is the most efficient, lowest-risk strategy for the Council and simply makes sense.”
Updates on the surf reef and the construction process can be found at: www.bournemouth.co.uk
* Geo-textile bags are environmentally inert and so the material will not harm marine life. The outer layer of the bag is in a coarser material which will encourage colonization by marine life.
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15th December 2007
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| Fantastic news!! The bournemouthreef.com can officially announce that the Bournemouth reef project has been given the go ahead with work starting in Spring 2008. The anticipated completion date is October 2008 ready for the winter swell. |
| Have a read of the press release below or click here to make a comment on our forum. |
| The team at bournemouthreef.com would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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SURF REEF IS GO! – OFFICIAL GREEN LIGHT FROM MFA GRANTED
Europe’s first artificial surf reef at Boscombe got the green light today.
The Marine and Fisheries Agency has granted Bournemouth Borough Council a special environment licence to begin construction of the project.
The Council is on course to start construction in spring 2008, with the reef anticipated to be completed in time for the October 2008 swell.
MFA chief executive, Nigel Gooding said: “We are delighted to be able to issue a licence under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.
"A number of complex issues to ensure the protection of the marine environment had to be considered. The MFA had to take into account the potential impact of the reef on local fishermen and any possible danger to navigation. All the issues have been resolved," he said.
The Borough has also approved the reef in its statutory capacity as the Coastal Protection Authority.
Specialist construction material for the reef will be ordered, including the ecologically sound geo-textile bags from Australia and the webbing base from New Zealand.
Roger Brown, Head of Leisure Services at Bournemouth Borough Council, said: “Christmas has come early to Bournemouth. This is the fantastic news that everyone has been waiting for.
"The area of Bournemouth and Poole already has an excellent reputation as a leading watersports destination, however the reef will put Boscombe firmly on the surfing map."
"Weather conditions permitting, we anticipate to complete the reef by Autumn 2008 and this will result in the surf reef and land-based retail, catering, and surf-instruction facilities being completed together.
We are also pleased to announce award-winning designers, Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway MBE, are creating super beach huts for both surfers and holiday makers, as part of the Overstrand redevelopment."
The surf reef and super beach huts will be accompanied by a surf-themed retail outlet, a surfing academy and a glass-fronted restaurant offering fantastic panoramic views of Bournemouth and the Solent. There will also be a catering outlet selling good-quality food-to-go, changing rooms, toilets and hot showers, all contributing to the major transformation of Boscombe seafront. As expected, many companies see the area as a sound investment and are already vying for a space in this prime seafront location.
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9th October 2007
Bournemouth Borough Council has reached agreement in principle with local fishing representatives on the reef’s construction and future monitoring arrangements.
The Council will now formally respond to DEFRA, which is overseeing the process of issuing the necessary licence for the construction of the surf reef. There has been a delay in DEFRA processing the licence because of the uniqueness and complexity of the project. Once the Council receives the licence, it can then order the specialist geo-textile sandbags and the webbing base from New Zealand and Australia.
The Council is committed to working in partnership with local fishermen and marine ecologists through Bournemouth University, on the monitoring arrangements for the project before, during and after construction.
Roger Brown, Head of Leisure Services at Bournemouth Borough Council, says: "The public has waited patiently with us as we go through the lengthy but essential process for this landmark project, but the reef will be worth the wait. This is a significant step forward in the licence process and we anticipate starting construction in Spring 2008. Weather conditions permitting, this will result in the surf reef and land-based retail, catering, and surf-instruction facilities being completed all together in Summer 2008. Continuing positive publicity about the pioneering reef project and the resort will make Bournemouth one of the prime surfing destinations in the UK."
Richard Stride, Chairman of the South Coast Fishermen's Council says: "We are reassured by the way the process is going. The continuing liaison between the Council and fishermen is quite positive and our concerns have, in principle, been addressed."
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19th July 2007
Bournemouth Borough Council met with Defra’s Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA) this week (Tuesday 17th July) to discuss the application
for a licence for Europe’s First Artificial Surf Reef. Positive progress has been made.
The MFA is well advanced with its consideration of this novel and innovative project. Work on the reef cannot commence until the remaining
issues have been resolved but the Agency is working closely with the Council towards a conclusion of the licence application as soon as possible.
Roger Brown, Head of Leisure Services says: “Meaningful progress was made during our meeting with the MFA. We are working hard to
provide the Agency with the outstanding information needed and still hope to start construction this winter, subject to favourable weather conditions. I am confident
that we can satisfactorily address the outstanding issues and that the surf reef project can then progress to enable
Bournemouth to become one of the prime surfing destinations in the UK."
Once Bournemouth Borough Council receives a licence from the MFA, it can then order the geo-textile sandbags and webbing base from
specialist manufacturers in New Zealand and Australia.
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