Another Surf Reef Under Fire

Some are now calling for the complete removal of the artificial surf reef in Mount Mauganui, New Zealand. The project has failed to create the waves promised to surfers, has intensified dangerous rip currents, and has even caused 4.5m of sand scouring. These complaints follow criticism of the Bournemouth geotextile bag reef in England. In both cases, however, the company of design (ASR) contends that construction was never completed; that the lead councils ended installation work too soon. The company’s showcase reef along the Gold Coast has performed well, for surfers and in terms of beachfront erosion control.