Aerial Shot of the Boscombe Artificial Surf Reef

It looks like the final phase of construction is underway on the Boscombe Artificial Reef and local surfers are getting very excited.

According to the construction team they will be focusing their attention on fine tuning the underwater structure by topping up the bags and making sure it meets the original design criteries.

ASR’s Technical Director, Shaw Mead is still confident that the Reef will be finished later this month – “Like any major construction project, there are extensive checks to be undertaken before we can say the project is complete. We are now starting to make all those checks thoroughly and according to the agreed specification.”

Back on the beach the team has also been dismantling their pipelines and equipment into containers, removing containers from the beach and flattening the surplus sand stockpile. It will seem a little strange having the beach returned to its former glory after so long with enormous piles of sand everywhere.

There have been a few negative vibes in the press recently but what we have seen so far we have been encouraged by, and we need to see a winter season if not a whole year before we pass judgement on how good it really could be.

Other locals who have sneaked a paddle out onto the reef have been commenting on the local Dorset Echo site -

woolamai from christchurch says…

2:10pm Thu 10 Sep 09

…. It’s produced quality waves a good few times already on just summer windswells – you just need to be there when it’s working – and if that’s 6am before the sun is up then so be it. And that’s no different from anywhere else in the world. It’s a step up in power and difficulty from the local beach breaks but no reason it can’t be surfed by anyone – boogie boarders, stand-ups, skis, SUPs. It’s going to be killer when the winter groundswells kick-off. Give it 6 months and the only complaints will be that it’s too crowded and we need another one. Boscombe Beach is getting a really good feel – surfers, paddleboards, triathletes and open water swimmers, skis and canoeists all over the place, loads of joggers and bladers on the prom, surf schools, personal trainers with their squads, surf shops and cafes right on the beach. Lifeguards have got really professional. It might not be Venice Beach or Bondi but there aren’t many places to rival this in the UK. I’m going home to Melbourne in 2012 and I’ll miss the place.

Guy Cribb Rides the Reef

Local Windsurfing legend Guy Cribb has also managed to get a few hours shredding on the new reef. Reported to be the first windsurfer to ride it he was pretty ecstatic to say teh least..

“I’ve ridden waves all over the world, but it’s great to be able to nip down to Bournemouth and score some good surf in July. And with restaurants like Urban Reef right on the sea front, virtually on the reef, the waves aren’t the only attractive aspect to the south’s newly formed surf spot.” Said Guy.

Don’t forget you can check out the very latest conditions on the Boscombe Reef Surf Cam.