Artificial reef will make surfing a pleasure

Durban is considering creating an artificial surfing reef, which if the plan gets the wave of approval, will be only the fourth one in the world.

The idea is to create much bigger waves in Surf City than experienced on Durban’s beaches at the moment.

And it has been welcomed by local surfers as "the best news we’ve heard for a long time".

The unique attraction will be used by surfers, snorkellers, body and kite boarders. However, the material used will be vulnerable to knives, spearguns, spear fishermen and anyone using motorised vehicles will be banned.

It is also envisaged that the "multi-functional artificial reef" will increase fish life and marine growth.

The plan is to position it 150m out at sea in front of the old Sea World site at the bottom of West Street, which is to be upgraded into "an events beach".

The reef will transform the nearby Wedge Beach into a top surfing spot.

"It won’t provide giant Hawaiian-styled waves, but we will get far bigger waves than at present," said Andrew Mather, the coastal engineer responsible for coastal policy in the city manager’s office, who suggested the plan.

With the demolition of Sea World and the need to upgrade the area, talks had turned to putting in a new pier, said Mather.

"But all piers are the same and we needed something different to broaden our tourism product," said Mather, who had seen a successful artificial surfing reef in Narrow Neck on the Australian Gold Coast.

Initially five sites were considered, but the West Street location already has more detailed information about the underwater contours. And it has ideal "back of beach" facilities like parking.

Source: www.iol.co.za