The new surf reef in Boscombe, Dorset, has been officially opened.

The first artificial surf reef in Europe has been officially ‘opened’ in Boscombe, a suburb of Bournemouth in Dorset – a year later than planned.

Construction of the reef – by New Zealand-based company, ASR – was due to start last year, in October 2008, but was delayed due to bad weather. Costing around £3 million to build, the reef is designed to increase both the quality and amount of surfable waves off the Boscombe coast, ultimately drawing more tourists to the region.

The size of a football pitch, the reef is constructed of 55 sand-filled bags and is situated more than 220 metres out to sea to the east of the town’s pier. Rather than creating waves, it acts as a ‘ramp’, pushing existing waves upwards and helping shape them into waves suitable for surfing.

Jon Weaver, Marketing and Events Manager for Bournemouth Tourism, said: “The reef is now officially open, and ready for experienced surfers to use at their leisure. It is important to remember that 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.”

RNLI Lifeguards carried out safety checks before the reef was officially opened, and will patrol the reef 364 days of the year. Barry Heathfield, RNLI Divisional Lifeguard Manager for Dorset, said: “The site specific training on the reef yesterday [Sunday 1 November] was essential in order for the lifeguards to understand the different currents moving around the man-made construction when the surf is breaking, as well as the depth of water on the reef at different stages of the tide which will affect their rescue technique.”

Plymouth University – which has recently been awarded the UK’s first marine academy – will be monitoring the performance of the reef over the next year, assessing the quality of the waves and the number of days suitable for surfing.

The reef is free to use, but not suitable for beginners. It is designed for competent surfers – not least because you have to paddle the 225 metres out to sea to actually reach the reef. The Official Guide to Bournemouth states that the reef is suitable for “competent, confident surfers who are beginning to initiate and execute standard surfing manoeuvres on at least one occasion, as well as surfers who can do standard manoeuvres consecutively on a single wave.”