India's First Artificial Reef: Artificial Reef Hopes to Bring "Surf" Back to India

ORIGINAL LINK

Artificial surfing reefs have both sunk and soared in the past: Pratte's Reef in El Segundo, California was a flop, but many consider Narrowneck, Australia’s human-born reef a great triumph. ASR, the company that built Narrowneck, just completed another successful reef in Bournemouth, England and is now working on a new project: India. The proposed artificial reef will be located in Kovalam on the Arabian Sea, and will mark India’s first artificial reef.

While Kovalam’s numerous charms have been drawing tourists for decades, reckless development has caused severe coastal erosion in the southern Indian town. As a result, the Kerala Department of Tourism commissioned ASR (Amalgamate Solutions and Research) to build the “multi-purpose reef” with visions of restoring the fading beach and hopefully amping up the waves.

“If building a reef for surfing, we would look closely at the existing tides, wind and ground swell direction,” says ASR. “Once we have the data we need, we design the reef to create optimal waves.”

Multi-purpose reefs are made from über high-tech sandbags that are secured to the ocean’s floor, diverting wave energy from the shoreline. In addition to bolstering waves and beaches, MPRs make great homes for a variety of sea life: “200 species have been found living on or around the reef built in Narrowneck,” says ASR.

The recently completed reef in England is Europe’s first MPR, and the local stoke is palpable. “The waves at Boscombe are generally small and break close to the beach, so rides are short. Now that the reef is in place, the waves are more powerful,” says Jo O’Connell of Bournemouth Tourism. “On days with good swell, decent-sized waves will peel down the right of the reef, creating a longer ride.” Ed Chipperfield of The Sunday Times says, “British surfers finally have a patch of water to be proud of.”

India, like England, is not exactly known as an epicenter of surf. “In a country with more than 1.2 billion people, there are only about twelve Indian guys who surf,” say representatives from the INDIA Surf Club, which was created by two Florida transplants in 2006. Interest in surfing seems to be growing; however, as it turns out that India has some pretty spectacular waves in Kovalam and other spots like those featured in Taylor Steele’s upcoming Castles in the Sky. The government of Kerala is hoping that their reef will be as effective as Bournemouth’s, and that improved surfing conditions will boost tourism.

According to Surfing India and the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word “surf” is actually derived from the word “suffe,” which was originally used in reference to the coast of, ironically, India. Maybe Kovalam’s reef will bring the surf home.



2010 Q&A with the Directors of ASR, ltd

Q: How does an artificial reef (Multi-Purpose reef) work in terms of surfing?

A: A Multi-purpose reef is designed as a means for coastal protection, beach erosion and to enhance marine habitat and create recreational activities, such as surfing as you mention above, as well as other activities like fishing and diving.

If building a reef for surfing we would look closely at the existing tides, wind and ground swell direction. Once we have the data we need, we design the slope of the multi-purpose reef to create optimal waves. Multi-purpose reefs do not make waves - they help waves break. The best reefs in the world do not break unless there is solid ground swell along with good wind and tides. 

Q: Why does ASR use the term multi-purpose reef instead of artificial reef? 

A: The term multi-purpose reef is used instead of artificial reef because our reefs serve multiple purposes. The 3 main purposes they serve are:

        1. Coastal protection - The multi-purpose reef stops wave energy from hitting the beach.  This reduction in wave energy leaves existing sand on the beach thus sustaining the existing beach or building back the beach that has eroded.

BOTTOM LINE: Saves beaches/helps people, communities and stops erosion.

        2. Enhanced marine habitat - Once the reef is in place the Geo-Textile material helps foster marine growth with respect to the marine species that are indigenous to the specific area the reef is located.

BOTTOM LINE: Creates habitat for indigenous marine species.

        3. Recreation - Because the reef is redirecting wave energy to hit on the reef instead of the shore, there's more activity out at sea.

BOTTOM LINE: Creates an amenity for diving, fishing and surfing!

Q: How does an artificial reef help the ocean, are there any studies to support this?

A: Reports have found that 25% of the world's coral reefs are gone or are severely damaged and that another third are degraded and threatened - proving that we need a solution. That's where Multi-purpose reefs come in. Since they're placed off the shore and help to redirect the wave energy, they're helping to protect the coastline and the beaches - keeping sand where it should be.

There is solid data that shows traditional reefs protect the beaches and the land behind them.  Instead of using progressive and new technologies, traditional coastal protection has been practiced using the same old structures, which are mainly rock revetments, groins and jetties.   

Mimicking nature, we have created Multi-Purpose Reefs that provide similar beach protection benefits of natural reefs, acting as a protective barrier to the coastline to help decrease sand erosion on our beaches. Multi-purpose reefs have the following benefits over the traditional methods:

•  
  1. Multi-purpose reefs are environmentally-friendly future of coastal protection and green solutions
  2. Multi-purpose reefs help to keep our beaches intact, while solutions such as concrete walls aren't actually beach protection at all, they are land protection and have been shown to actually increase the rate of sand erosion on beaches rather than reduce it.
  3. Multi-purpose reefs are submerged offshore structures, ensuring the natural beauty while enhancing the existing condition of the beaches.

Multi-purpose reefs also create new marine habitats. 200 species have been found living on or around the reef built in Narrowneck Australia and the Bournemouth reef has already become home to organisms including cuttlefish and spidercrabs. Additionally, it's worth noting that traditional coastal protection structures carry a carbon footprint 3 to 6 times greater than a Multi-Purpose reef.  These alone are reasons to look at alternatives.  We passionately believe that multi-purpose reefs are the sustainable future of coastal protection.  
 

Q: There have been many numbers thrown around, but, bottom line what can the town of Bournemouth expect long-term financially?

A: The reef as the centerpiece of the Boscombe Spa Redevelopment has already been a great investment for the city, as shown by the revitalized seafront and the corresponding socio-economic benefits to the community.  

An impartial third party research firm conducted a study and found that the marketing and PR value of the Reef in Boscombe, even before its completion, was estimated to be greater than $10M pounds which is over 3 times the total cost of the reef.  

The thriving restaurants - some of which are named after the reef like "Urban Reef" and "Reef Encounter" - and increased retail activity and hotel accommodations (even during a recessionary period) also are positive indicators of economic stimulus. 

The other great aspect is the amount of surf lessons that have been preformed since the reef has been introduced.  While I was in Boscombe I witnessed a group of women in their sixties taking surf lessons!   This is only a slice of the socio economic benefit that the reef has already brought to the area and we have no doubt that it will continue to bring economic prosperity to the region for decades to come.   

Q: What is the history of ASR and how did you get hired to do the Bournemouth Artificial Reef?

A: The Bournemouth multi-purpose reef project was a concept endorsed by the Bournemouth Borough Council as well as numerous notable, local surfers.

The reef marked the first time that ASR actually constructed one of our designs. ASR did the design only for the Narroneck, Mount Maunganui and Openake reefs. Realizing the importance of being involved from conception to completion, ASR decided to put together an in house construction arm to specialize it the construction of the Multi-purpose reefs we were designing.

It was a necessary evolution for the company and our team is now mobilized in Kovalame, India where they are building India's first multi-purpose reef for coastal protection.



Treehugger.com & The Hindu Report: Work on Kovalam Artificial reef set to begin

By: S. Anil Radhakrishnan

Project be completed by first quarter of 2010

---

Artificial reef work likely to begin on December 12/ Aim is to promote marine ecology, curb erosion

---

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: All arrangements are in place for the beginning of the work on a multi-purpose reef being set up off the coast of Kovalam at a cost of Rs.7.8 crore.

Experts from the New Zealand-based Amalgamate Solutions and Research (ASR), which is executing the project, have reached the capital. Construction equipment has been brought to the project site set up on the premises of the Department of Harbour Engineering in Vizhinjam. A barge from New Mumbai has reached the coast.

If weather permits and the official approval comes through, the work will begin on December 12 or 13. The project is to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2010.

The only hitch now is the apprehension among local fisherfolk. District Collector Sanjay M. Kaul has convened a meeting of all concerned on Monday to clear fishworkers’ doubts regarding their livelihood.

The work got stalled following the delay in getting sanction for the revised estimate of the project, being taken up under the Centre’s tsunami rehabilitation programme by Kerala Tourism. Rough sea and inclement weather caused further postponement.

“The multi-purpose reefs are designed to be sustainable and safe for the environment, while providing solutions to beaches and shorelines that have seen the effects of erosion,” Nick Behunin, managing partner, ASR, said in an e-mail communication to The Hindu.

Proposed site

The artificial reef, 110 metres long and 38 metres wide, is to come up 150 metres from the Lighthouse beach and 110 metres from the landmark Lighthouse. The reef is in ‘V’ shape and the apex will be facing the sea. The reef is to be constructed using sand-filled geotextile mega containers (geobags). Geomats, imported from Germany, will be anchored to the seabed to prevent differential sinking of the bags and sand erosion.

Empty geobags will be attached to geomats. The geobags will be inflated with water first and later sand in slurry form will be filled through four inlets. Each geobag will weigh 200-300 tonnes when filled with sand.

In a day, 200 cubic metres of sand can be filled. The three-inch thick geobags, made from non-woven staple fibre and needle-punched geotextile, have been imported from Australia.

The geobags are ultra-violet and puncture resistant and will promote marine ecology. The reef will be placed below half a metre of the low tide level and one metre below the high tide level. Around 4,000 cubic metres of sand will be needed for filling the geobags.

Purpose

The reef acts as a ramp that changes the way the waves break. It harnesses wave energy, which causes erosion, and channels it to break on the offshore reef instead. As a result, Mr. Behunin said the beach is protected, ecology is enhanced and improved conditions are created for surfers, divers and fishermen.

Europe's first artificial surf reef finally opens in Dorset

ORIGINAL LINK: 24dash.com

Europe's first artificial surf reef was officially launched today after criticism the South Coast attraction does not work and is in the wrong place.

Around a dozen surfers and body boarders took to the water after Bournemouth Borough Council announced "perfect" conditions for launching the £3 million reef in Boscombe, Dorset.

Surfers had expressed fears it was on the wrong side of the pier, the wrong way round, too big and potentially dangerous.

But Roger Brown, the council's director of leisure services, said it was too early to judge.

"There's been some chop, there's not been reliable Atlantic swell coming through and this is what this is designed to magnify," he said.

"It's too early to tell but obviously we foresaw that. We had to rely on ASR to design the reef for Boscombe's characteristics.

"We have now got to give it the chance to see if it does perform against the criteria that we have agreed with them."

He added: "We are delighted to bring this reef to Boscombe. It's the first one in Europe and there's no doubt it has changed Boscombe forever."

Sean Wade, from Sorted surf shop, said: "Longer term it will need tweaking but with any project it is finding out how it works and what the best conditions are.

"Yesterday it looked pretty amazing, there were reports of body boarders getting 20 yard barrels which for a South Coast wave is completely unheard of.

"From yesterday's performance it was a better body board wave than surfing wave but it's continually changing.

"It all depends on what conditions there are on a certain day.

"It's the best wave on the South Coast for being hollow without a doubt.

"It's put Boscombe on the map in relation to surfing. People don't know the second largest surfing community in the UK is based in Bournemouth."

The delayed reef has spiralled in costs from £1.4 million in 2006 to £3 million.

Sand bags covering roughly the size of a football pitch are fixed to the sea bed, 225 metres from the shore east of Boscombe pier.

It is one of four artificial reefs worldwide including Narrowneck, Queensland, Cables, Western Australia and Mt Maunganui, New Zealand.

The large geo-textile bags pumped hard with sand mimic the effects of a natural reef and act like a ramp, pushing waves upwards and shaping them into powerful barrels.

It does not create waves but doubles the height and number of good surfing days.

The reef is designed to provide a grade five wave on a day with good swell, which is in the challenging range and compares with the Hawaii Pipeline which is a grade 8.

Dr Kerry Black, managing director of ASR Ltd, designed the Boscombe surf reef after travelling the entire Pacific Rim measuring 44 of the world's best surf breaks to recreate a world-class wave.

It is part of an £11 million Boscombe Spa Regeneration Project funded through the sale of a seafront car park to Barratt Homes for development into 169 flats.

Paul Clarke from the Bournemouth Surfing Centre, said: "It's just a welcome relief to see it working.

"Since construction finished we have had the flattest spell of any autumn for about 10 years which has been frustrating."

John Weaver, marketing and events manager for Bournemouth Tourism, said: "It is important to remember the reef is not a wave machine, it works to enhance the conditions that occur naturally and so, when there is no swell elsewhere, there won't be swell on the reef either."

Plymouth University will assess the reef's performance for the next year looking at the quality of the wave and the number of surfable days.

The council is withholding £150,000 pending the performance reviews.