

Hiding from wave energy
Taking the energy from the waves before they reach the shore is the best way of minimizing the impact of storms. Hawaii has bigger, and more consistent waves than Australia, yet manage to keep their beaches OK due to their reefs.
See this story about houses built on sandhills:
www.coastalwatch.com/environment/…/sean-doherty-the-problem-is-bigger-than-wamberal
Making wave energy
Surf parks (inland wave pools) are getting all the attention at the moment.
Read Inland Surfing by Surfer Today it has an explanation and a map:
surfertoday.com/wave-pools.
Using wave energy
Developments are also happening in attempts to harness the energy of ocean waves. This is out of the scope of this website but here is a link if you are interested:
renews.biz/wave-tidal
Artificial surfing reefs
The DHI article says that we were at a low point in 2018 for making artificial surfing reefs in the ocean.
artificial-reefs-failures
Good or bad ideas?
Shaped bottoms – The Tasmanian experience
Bottegal and Bubble Bank
Making surfing spots
The things that make a good surf spot are known; good swell, favourable winds and the right shape of the bottom (and the bays).
Document the world’s coasts
We are particularly looking for places that are not surfed at the moment that could be surfable with a little work. Like they did at Burkitts Reef, Bargara.
The one thing that we have learnt from Mt Reef and Bournemouth is don’t mess with the existing surf spots and stay clear of areas controlled by lifesaving clubs.
Contact us for a way to identify parts of your coast that meet this criteria.
Forecasts
Surf forecast overview and all surf forecasts
makesurf.wordpress.com/category/forecast
Government bodies looking at Artificial Reefs
Albany surf reef to be revisited – ABC South Coast WA
The Albany Council has ordered its CEO to reinvestigate the idea of creating an artificial surf reef at Middleton beach. The idea has been around for years.
abc.net.au/local/audio
See also Taree starts the process and
Artificial reef debate at Coffs Harbour.
A Wave Focusing Sand Slug in Sydney, Australia
Sydney Australia:

International Surfing Reef Symposia
Whatever happened to them?
Symposia, including history
Gold Coast report on ABC
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-22/surfer-numbers-have-doubled-at-some-gold-coast-breaks-crowds/101875872