Artificial reefs for surfing: Myth and reality
Bevu presents the news of the day.
The first inflatable reef would be placed in November of this year in Australia.
It is important to define that an artificial surf reef is a structure created by man, located in specific places, taking into consideration various factors that can influence the formation of the waves.
The idea of ​​creating high-quality waves through human intervention seemed unimaginable and even far-fetched just a decade ago; however, today it is a reality. But as if that weren't enough, a scientific study conducted at the legendary Pipeline wave has created a scale replica of the Hawaiian wave's reef using photogrammetry technology. According to its creators, this reconstruction could be used to manufacture an artificial wave very similar to the one found on the island of Oahu.
The artificial reef for surfing has great advantages but also great disadvantages, because it requires a series of circumstances that influence its functionality.
Currently, five specific examples of artificial reefs for wave formation are known:
Rocks: This is based on the repositioning of rock masses in order to improve or form waves.
V-Reef: An improved proposal that could revolutionize surfing and give opportunities to areas devoid of waves or enhance existing ones, the invention would work from a series of mobile V-shaped structures within the sea, which would facilitate the appearance of larger waves.
Sand-filled bags: As the name suggests, this method works with bags made of a special material called geotextile, filled with sand to increase the height of the waves at their highest peak by 30% and double the number of surfable days per year.
Reef Balls: Their functionality is based on hollow structures with a series of holes for the recirculation of hydraulic flow. These structures must have a perfectly correct design to function properly.
Inflatable reef: A proposal that has gained traction in recent years and, according to its creators, could work well due to its easier setup and operation. It's based on an inflatable dome that mimics a surf reef. The manufacturer reported that the first test will be installed in Australia in November of this year and will be crucial for observing its performance under ocean conditions.
However, it's not all about surfing, as these reefs also serve as a new ecosystem for marine life, harboring a wide variety of species, and they also help protect coastal beaches from erosion.