Atlantic surf and stormy winds hammer England’s south coast attracting Guy Cribb to windsurf Europe’s first artificial reef in Bournemouth, UK, for the first time.

Barreling waves dumped heavily on the reef which was nearly sucking dry and were significantly heavier than the waves breaking closer to the beach.

The reef is still under construction with tons more sand yet to be moved into position to make the waves even bigger and cleaner over the next months. Ultimately it will be the size of a football pitch made with 26,000 tons of sand packed into geo-friendly bags.

But it already looks very promising and is certainly going to be a huge success with surfers and windsurfers alike. Bring on the autumn storms!

“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.

Artificial reefs have been formed in Australia and the States, but never in the northern hemisphere until now. Using ecological materials and design, the artificial reef will become home to sea life, surfers and windsurfers alike, but is especially attractive for tourism in Bournemouth area.

Boscombe sea front ‘Overstrand’ area has been redeveloped by Wayne and Geradine Hemingway MBE. Image shows The Honeycombe Beach apartments in the background.

Guy has won 13 British Championships and is more recently acclaimed for windsurfing across the English Channel in a storm last year- the long way from Cherbourg to Poole, raising £11,000 for charity.

Photo by Will Law