A £3m artificial reef near Bournemouth is failing to attract some surfers because the waves are 'too difficult' to ride, a report found today

This article is more than 10 years old

This article is more than 10 years old

Our railways have had problems with the wrong sort of snow and leaves, but now a coastal resort has hit trouble with the wrong type of waves. A £3m artificial reef is producing surf that is too short and too difficult for the average boarding enthusiast, a report found today.

The man-made reef at Boscombe, near Bournemouth, was the first of its kind in the northern hemisphere, but has received a mixed reaction from surfers. Now the council is withholding a £150,000 performance payment from its creator, ASR Ltd, until the issues are resolved.

Problems identified in a study published today include issues with the length of ride and the frequency of waves, which need to be "slightly less challenging" to attract journeyman surfers.

The findings were based on a performance assessment by experts at Plymouth University showing that the reef had only achieved four of its 11 objectives since opening in November.

Created 225m out to sea and made of 55 sand-filled bags, the reef was aimed at making surfing conditions better.

Bournemouth Borough Council's summary of the report found that: "The reef does work and, in the right conditions, is producing steep, challenging waves suitable for expert surfers.

"But the ride is not as long as required; frequency of surfing waves is not as often as [those on] the beach; and the wave would be surfable by more people (ie intermediate as well as expert surfers) if it were slightly less challenging."

The information was partly garnered from cameras monitoring the breaking waves' shape and strength.

Mark Davidson, of the university's School of Marine Science and Engineering, said today: "The results of this analysis showed that the reef was successful in producing a new wave at Boscombe which was rideable for experienced surfers and boogie-boarders.

"The new wave on the reef was significantly different to the waves that are available on the natural beach around the Boscombe Pier.

"However … the wave was consistently shorter than the design criteria, which promised rides of around 65m.

"Additionally, it was less consistent than the neighbouring beach, when it had been hoped that the reef would increase the consistency of the surfing waves in the area.

"Thirdly, the wave is more challenging than was first anticipated, breaking powerfully and quickly on take-off, making it difficult for even early intermediate surfers to enjoy the wave."

The council is now looking at whether the reef has properly bedded in or needs more time to settle. ASR Ltd, a New Zealand firm, is to present a proposal for "refinements".

Bournemouth council's service director for leisure, Roger Brown, told the Bournemouth Echo: "Obviously there is an element of some disappointment but I always thought the reef would probably need some modifications.

"Our contractors ASR have agreed with the performance assessment and are committed to carrying out this work.

"It's not just their final payment of £150,000 that is at stake; it's also their reputation. I'm optimistic that the ride length can be improved, the take-off speed can be reduced and surfing can be made less difficult."

The findings will be discussed publicly at a council cabinet meeting on 26 May.

The authority went ahead with the plan as part of the Boscombe Spa Project – a revamp aimed at attracting new visitors. The seafront promenade now features new restaurants and apartments.

The whole project is set to cost around £11.3m, exceeding last year's estimate of £10.8m.

The scheme has seen a 32% increase in visitor numbers, the council added.