Artificial Reefs – Bournemouth, Barceloneta and Varazze
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 at 5:30 pmNot many people know this but there were a large number of people campaigning for an artificial reef in Barcelona not so long ago. Unfortunately a big pile of ugly cement bricks were dropped in the sea instead forming a pier that, obviously, killed the waves that used to be there (Hospital de Mar was destroyed entirely, La Barceloneta was severely shortened)
It's very sad that the powers that be did not have the vision to do what Bournemouth are well under way with- an artificial reef. It'll be really interesting to see how it works, it's supposed to give a 50m long right which sounds just lovely. Well the proof of the reef is in the riding and I'll be listening out for reports once it gets going properly.
So far none of the artificial reefs built for surfing (e.g. New Zealand and Perth) have delivered the goods, which is not to say that artificial reefs never work. In Varazze for example there's an amazing wave which has been produced artificially, it's just that well, they didn't mean to do that! The reef was supposed to replenish fishing resources, seems like these reefs always disappoint someone, maybe if the Boscombe one doesn't produce waves then at least it might make some fish very happy?
According to this report I found, it's almost completed.
Looks like the authorities are already getting worried about beginner surfers getting hurt but even if the wave works like we all hope it will, with it being 200 metres out to sea you'll need a bit of surf fitness to get you out there. Anyway, fingers crossed Bournemouth…!
Category: Girl Surf
