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Hang 10, Blokes: UK Beach to Make Waves

Artificial reef expected to generate 13-footers, draw surfers

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 10, 2008 3:50 PM CST
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(Newser) – A British beach town hopes to become the UK’s Surf City after the completion of an artificial reef that will boost local waves, Der Spiegel reports. Bournemouth has long attracted vacationers to its shore, but the gently lapping waves haven’t been enough of a draw for surfers. Projected 13-foot swells should change all that, though.

The reef, slated for completion next fall, will be built out of environmentally friendly sandbags upon a soccer-field-sized mat already anchored to the seafloor. It will be Europe’s first such installation, and the fourth in the world, after other similar projects in Australia and New Zealand. Officials hope it will draw about 10,000 surfers per year.

Tropical fish swim around the coral formations on an artificial reef project in Bali, Indonesia. The Bournemouth reef is meant to draw surfers, not fish.
Tropical fish swim around the coral formations on an artificial reef project in Bali, Indonesia. The Bournemouth reef is meant to draw surfers, not fish.   (AP Photo/Wolf Hilbertz)
A man walks his dogs on the beach in Bournemouth, England. The small waves already draw some surfers, and planners of a new artificial reef promise much bigger swells.
A man walks his dogs on the beach in Bournemouth, England. The small waves already draw some surfers, and planners of a new artificial reef promise much bigger swells.   (Getty Images)
Bournemouth Beach has long drawn bathers and holiday-makers, but now the town hopes to profit from increased surfer traffic.
Bournemouth Beach has long drawn bathers and holiday-makers, but now the town hopes to profit from increased surfer traffic.   (Getty Images)
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tourism • beach • surfing • Britain • artificial reef

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