How does an artificial reef work?
It is important to remember that an artificial surf reef does not create waves, it amplifies the surf already there. The reef acts as a ramp, pushing waves upwards, doubling in size, and shaping them into good-quality surfing waves. Doubling the height of the surf will also mean that the number of good surfing days will double. The reef at Boscombe is designed to provide a grade 5 wave on a day with good swell which is in the challenging range (Hawaii Pipeline is a grade 8). The reef will make three waves – waves on the reef and two more good banks inshore on the beach. In calm weather, such as July or August, the reef will create a ‘lagoon’ along the shoreline. Building the Reef The reef has been built in two layers: the bottom layer sitting on the sea bed consists of three elements, followed by a second layer of two elements that lies on top of the bottom bags. The bottom layer elements consist of three individual sections: • a geo-mat to minimise the structure sinking into the sea •
