We use cookies to personalize your experience, content and advertising. We also use cookies to provide social media features and analyze traffic. By using this site you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.
Albany Artificial Surf Reef Arial
Albany Artificial Surf Reef
An artificial surf reef planned for Middleton BeachAverage Reviews
Description
The city of Albany in Western Australia is planning an artificial surfing reef off Middleton Beach. Once constructed, the reef will refract incoming swells to produce a right-hand break that runs for roughly 100-120m. The wave hight will average 0.8 – 1.3m measured on the face of the wave. Waves will break on the reef 60-80% of the year.
The project is in the detailed design phase now, and if everything goes according to plan, the reef should be complete in 2022.
Design and Construction
The southern coast of Western Australia is know for powerful swells generated by storms in the Indian Ocean. These swells consistently make their way into Albany beaches where frequent offshore winds help groom them. However, the monotonous shoreline does not shape the swells into a consistent, quality surfable waves.
The city of Albany identified the opportunity to create a significant recreational and tourism asset through the development of an artificial surf reef at Middleton Beach. The reef could shape the incoming swells into consistently fun, surfable waves within close proximity to the Albany central business district.
The city formed the Albany Artificial Surfing Reef Steering Group to guide the effort and engage the community.
The city hired Royal Haskoning DHV to conduct a in-depth feasibility assessment for the artificial surf reef in 2015. The Middleton Beach area has relatively low average swell height. However, analysis and modeling revealed that Middleton Beach possesses a number of very unique features that result in ideal conditions for an artificial surfing reef. Those include:
- Minimal tidal fluctuations which maximize the duration that swell will break on the reef structure
- An nearly unidirectional wave swell direction
- Relatively long period (12-16 sec) wave conditions which that result in significant wave increase in wave height as the swell interacts with the reef
- Natural wave focusing based on local bathymetry.
The study identified three reef design options and made recommendations that support the business case. The Steering Group selected the “Long Right” option, which has a total crest length of 120m. They selected that option because it will provide a better surfing experience than the alternatives and it will provide the best value in terms of length of ride per $.
The reef will be constructed between 180-375m offshore using 46,620m3 of rock, similar to the Palm Beach Reef. The rocks will vary in size from 1 to 2m in diameter. The footprint of the reef is 1.61 hectares. The crest of the reef will lie roughly 1m under the surface of the water at low tide.
The Construction teams will probably use dumb barges to transport the rock from Albany wharf, where it will be loaded, to the reef installation site. Once on site, the construction team will take the following approach to build the reef:
- Using a pin jib crane and rock grab equipped with GPS, place the toe rocks around the perimeter of the footprint to form a boundary.
- Using the pin jib crane and bucket grab or excavator bucket, fill the area within the perimeter toe rocks with bulk place core material. Monitor the levels using side scan survey and GPS technology.
- Using a barge-mounted excavator with GPS, level/smooth the top of core material.
- Using a pin jib crane and rock grab equipped with GPS, place the armor materials.
- Check and reposition the final layer to achieve construction tolerances using barge-mounted excavator equipped with GPS.
Before construction can begin, the initial reef design needs to be detailed and finalized. Bluecoast Consulting Engineers, who was also involved in the feasibility study and previously designed the Palm Beach Reef, has been awarded the contract for detailed design.
To fund the design process, the WA State Government gave $500,000 to the City of Albany.
The University of WA Wave Energy Research Centre will peer review the design process.
The State Government had allocated a total of $5m AUD for the reef, with the city contributing another $500,000. The estimated total cost is about $9.5m AUD.
Anticipated Results
Royal Haskoning and Bluecoast designed the Albany Artificial Surfing Reef to create a consistent, surfable wave appealing to intermediate and beginner surfers.
Under normal swell conditions, the reef will offer waves with open faces and peel angles similar to Tea Tree Bay at Noosa Heads. In larger swell conditions, the reef will produce faster waves which would suit more experienced surfers.
The size of the reef allows 3 waves to be surfed simultaneously in ideal conditions.
The Albany Artificial Surf Reef will also increase the number of surfable days per year. Research over a 13 month period showed that, currently, only 6 surfing days were rated better than ‘Average’. After the installation of the reef, Royal Haskoning expects that the number will be increased at least 30x. Waves considered to be “better than average” will break 50% of the days in a year.
Surfing WA stated that they would potentially hold 3-4 events per year in Albany if the reef performs as anticipated.
Royal Haskoning conducted cost-benefit analyses in order to assess the attractiveness of the proposed project relative to the ‘do nothing’ option. Conservative calculations from the business case demonstrate a positive NPV of $18m AUD. Most of that value comes from events, such as surfing competitions. The events attract participants from outside of the region and an increase in tourist visits and length of stay.
In addition to the surfing amenity and the local economic benefits, the reef will also provide
- Social benefits such as a new recreational outlet that will help maintain youth populations.
- Health benefits like increased access to sports
- Ecological benefits in the form of colonization and occupation by marine fauna, which could improve local diving and fishing conditions.
Community Support
The City of Albany conducted a survey and received 728 responses. The majority (90%) of participants supported, in principle, the proposal to create the artificial surf reef at Middleton Beach. Furthermore, 97% of the respondents stated they lived outside of Albany and indicated that they would visit Albany more often if surf was better.
It’s no surprise that local surf clubs also support the creation of the reef. Albany Boardriders president Peter Bolt told The Western Australian that the artificial reef would make surfing more accessible.
“For juniors, learners and intermediates it’s going to be a huge bonus — and for tourism (as) tourists won’t have to go hunting,” he said.
“It’s a local beach that kids can get to on a bike and don’t have to go to isolated beaches where there are no facilities for rescues.”
Sources: Albany Artificial Surf Reef Business Case, Royal HaskoningDHV, Bluecoast Consulting Engineers, Mirage News, The West Australia
Photos
News
