Boscombe Surf Reef

[1] Boscombe, a district of Bournemouth, opted to build a surfing reef to provide a unique focal point for the town's multi-million pound waterfront redevelopment effort, with Bournemouth Borough Council hoping that the reef would "give Boscombe beach its own identity, raise the profile of Boscombe and attract a large number of visitors on an annual basis.” In April 2014, after being closed since March 2011, the council re-branded the reef as a coastal activity park concentrating on diving and wind surfing, as well as kite and wind surfing.

[2] The idea came originally from David Weight, a member of Wessex Surf Club, whose proposals to Bournemouth council and initial research date from 1993.

[citation needed] Cabinet/Council approved the land-based proposals but requested a presentation from ASR Ltd on the initial designreport for the surf reef for the Cabinet to consider.

The reef, which was originally suggested in the late 1990s, suffered considerable delays before construction finally began in June 2008[1] by the New Zealand Company ASR Ltd.

The intention is that the wave depth will be improved through the gentler slope thus created, resulting in the right-hand ride length extended to 65metres.

[14] In October 2011 Bournemouth council announced that due to the autumn weather the repair and improvement work would not be completed until spring 2012.

This is progressing well and the reef will form an integral part of the Coastal Activity Park, which is scheduled to open in Spring 2014.”.

[18] In November 2013 Mark Smith was further quoted as saying "The Council has made it clear that no additional taxpayers' money will be spent enhancing the reef’s performance for surfing, and that position remains unchanged.

Despite the negative press surrounding Boscombe Reef, a group of dedicated local bodyboarders continued to use it regularly before and after its closure for safety reasons.