Abstract
Geotextile artificial surfing reefs (ASR) are being considered by coastal planners due to their multifunctional potential for coastal protection and habitat provision, as well as additional recreational amenity. However, little research exists on the impact of submerged geotextile structures on the physical marine environment. Europe's first ASR was constructed in 2009 on the south coast of England in Boscombe and is the case study for this paper. This research investigates the claims regarding the structural resilience of an ASR, the modifications to the inshore wave climate and the shoreline response induced by the introduction of an ASR to a system. The Boscombe ASR has suffered from damage, two major geotextile sand filled containers have degraded in this shallow marine environment in two years post-construction. Observations and simulations presented indicate ameliorated wave field leeward of the ASR. There is little shoreline response, given the structures distance offshore, and no salient or widening of the beach has occurred.
Highlights
Europe‟s first Artificial Surf Reef (ASR) was constructed on the south coast of England in 2009.Gaining much media attention the ASR had been a fierce subject of debate amongst the surfing community with mixed opinions being expressed regarding its success
This paper aims to provide coastal engineers with an objective review of the Boscombe ASR (Fig. 1) through the following objectives; investigating the claims made regarding the modification to the wave field using a numerical model, providing information on the structural integrity of a surf reef and describing the shoreline response to a geotextile submerged reef
Structural resilience Boscombe ASR has suffered damage; two major geotextile containers have degraded in this shallow marine environment in two years post-construction
Summary
Europe‟s first Artificial Surf Reef (ASR) was constructed on the south coast of England in 2009.Gaining much media attention the ASR had been a fierce subject of debate amongst the surfing community with mixed opinions being expressed regarding its success. Europe‟s first Artificial Surf Reef (ASR) was constructed on the south coast of England in 2009. This paper aims to provide coastal engineers with an objective review of the Boscombe ASR (Fig. 1) through the following objectives; investigating the claims made regarding the modification to the wave field using a numerical model, providing information on the structural integrity of a surf reef and describing the shoreline response to a geotextile submerged reef. An ASR is a geotextile submerged structure designed with the intention of altering the local wave field to enhance environmental conditions for surfing thereby providing surf tourism. Artificial surf reefs are often claimed to be multifunctional (Mead and Black, 2002) as this enhancement of the environmental conditions is often claimed to provide increased tourist
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