Artificial Reefs, Australia, New Zealand

[chrisrobinsonbbc]

Hi,

I'm Chris Robinson, from BBC News Online in the UK.

An artificial reef, developed by ASR is being created off the Bournemouth coast in Dorset, UK and due to open in September. It will be the first artificial reef in Europe.

I'm writing a feature about how popular their exisiting reefs are in Narrowneck and Cable Beach, Australia and Mount Maunganui, New Zealand.

Are they popular with surfers and tourists? What's the surf like? Has there been many problems with the reef? What's the reaction of locals been to it?

What do you think of the idea of an artificial reed off the English Channel? Would you come and use it if you are here?

Either add a comment or my email is chris.robinson@bbc.co.uk
Look forward to hearing your views.

Chris

[RJD]

Mate you want to check out the surf.co.nz forums!

The Mounts reef has been an utter disaster and in general the view of ASR is money grabbing incompetence.

[drowningbitbybit]

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to pronounce this can of worms - open!

[Sar]

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to pronounce this can of worms - open!

who gets to cut the ribbon?!?! Can I do it with one of those giant pair or scissors you see on tellie?!

loads of threads on this, though the search function told me 'surf reef' was too common a search....who'd have thought it?

anyone like to help this very polite chap out with the links since im clearly not the person for the job

[drowningbitbybit]

anyone like to help this very polite chap out with the links since im clearly not the person for the job

Search for ASR -
www.surfing-waves.com/forum/viewtopic.p ... &hilit=ASR

[Hang11]

The Bournemouth Artificial Reef has been fantastic in terms of taking millions from UK Taxpayers and putting it back into the NZ economy. And it has meant that there is at least one less moron in NZ selling dodgy imported cars.

[phillwilson]

To Chris Robinson,

Im gonna pause the funnies for a second and talk to you directly,

If you are after an "and finally" type story about this wizzbang new idea and how lovely it is for the sea going folk..jog on to a different forum or just talk to the guys at ASR as I am sure they will tell you how sliced bread will from this day on be getting the silver spot.

If however you HAVE NOT yet formed preconceived ideas on the tone and spin that will be implied to the story (positive / negative ect, then please feel free to talk to us as I and Im sure others will not want to miss the chance to find a public voice for our opinions (which unlike ASRs seem to be backed up by FACTS) .

as you will see through your investigations, this is a very emotive topic on here as it is messing with the very nature of this intrinsically "earthly" sport (and also it is costing shed loads of money which is stupid)

if you are here for the real deal then welcome aboard and for god sake do a good job on the story

thanks

Phill Wilson

[Hang11]

I think the honest truth of it is this:

That the reefs they have built so far do not produce quality surfable waves

That at least some of the reefs that they have built have significantly decreased the quality of surrounding waves

That the projects cost a lot of money

That most of the artificial reefs have run into major problems with construction/funding and some of the projects remain incomplete

[chrisrobinsonbbc]

Thanks guys for the advice.
We have covered stories about the reef development from day one, how it has doubled in price and how work has been delayed.
What I'm trying to do... before it opens... is to see what the reaction to reefs has been at ASR's other ventures and whether it has had a positive or negative impact. Obviously tourism bosses are hoping this is going to be successful over here.
But feel free to email me personally if you would prefer chris.robinson@bbc.co.uk
Cheers
Chris

[drowningbitbybit]

is to see what the reaction to reefs has been ...positive or negative

More or less universally negative.
And the example at bournemouth plumbs the depths of stupidity - reefs need groundswell, which bournemouth gets about one day a year

[Broosta]

I went to Bournmouth/Boscombe on wednesday and saw the finished reef.
Not much to see when I was there. It was pretty windy cross on-shore from the right and there was a 1-2ft wind swell on the beach which picked up a foot or so after a while.
I surfed Boscombe Pier and it was ok ish.
The actual reef did have waves breaking over it but it was a total mess with no chance of surfing it. Spoke to someone who seemed to know a bit about it and he reckoned it would only work on a ground swell, and it needed a few good ones to build the sand up properly and then we'd be able to see if its any good.
But the local area seems really up for it with several surf shops and windsurf/kite shops nearby, not to mention the surf pod appartments.
I hope it works, and nice one for sticking their necks out and trying something different in the uk for once.

[kitesurfer]

I have 2 views on this chris.

1. As a surfer what a waste of time they couldn't have positioned it in a more unsuitable place. The majority of surf that bournemouth gets is wind driven and requires the shelter offered by the piers to make for a rideable wave. Unfortunately the reef does not take this into account and is positioned out to sea way past the shelter provided by the piers. Also the the prevailing wind and tide will make it very difficult to remain positioned on the reef.
I'm sure on those fews days of groundswell without wind that we get in the channel the reef will work but it will be a zoo with every aunt and there 20 sisters descending upon it.
However.
2. As a kitesurfer i am overjoyed. Those very reasons that make it a poor choice for a surf reef make it potentionally an excellent wave sailing kitesurfing spot. It is far enough out to sea to be away from the wind shadow created by the cliffs and fingers crossed and difficult for the surfers to remain on it. So bring it on i say what a great way for our council to spend our money.

All that said though i still believe ASR are a bunch of money grabbing gits.

KS

[kitesurfer]

My point.
Here is typical wind swell that the reef is already getting. Oh and look some kitesurfers about to take advantage of it but not a surfer in sight.



KS

[Ged]

Thats a fresh breeze, the surfurs are in the water. If you choose to look.

[drowningbitbybit]

Hey Kitey,
In that picture, where exactly is the reef? The "break" way out back, or the one closer to the shore?

[kitesurfer]

Thats a fresh breeze, the surfurs are in the water. If you choose to look.

Thats not a surfer its a shark biscuit!

KS

[kitesurfer]

Hey Kitey,
In that picture, where exactly is the reef? The "break" way out back, or the one closer to the shore?

The one outback. It's easier to spot on a calm day, if only i had a photo! Oooo hang on a sec whats this?



KS

[kitesurfer]

Hey Kitey,
In that picture, where exactly is the reef? The "break" way out back, or the one closer to the shore?

The one outback. It's easier to spot on a calm day, if only i had a photo! Oooo hang on a sec whats this?



KS

As you can see from the photo it produces a grade 5 wave just like the papers say, equivilent to pipeline!

KS

[drowningbitbybit]

Oh, good lord, thats even more pathetic than I imagined!

[kitesurfer]

What is also concerning is on the day this photo was taken that wasn't an especially low tide and yet the waves/tiny ripples are breaking on it meaning that it must be inches deep!!!! If that. Surely this can't be the case? Any groundswell on an even vaguely low tide will suck the reef dry.

KS