The first ever publicly accessible Wavegarden surf pool is open in Conwy, Wales. August 1st, 2015, marks a new era in the sport of surfing.
Landlocked surfers have reasons to smile. The world of surfing is changing. Surf Snowdonia, a 300-meter long wave lagoon is officially open for business.Europe's first public artificial surf pool offers powerful and consistent surfing waves of varying heights up to two metres. You will even be able to surf at night, with friends and other riders from all regions of the Old Continent.
Surf Snowdonia has been built on the site of a former aluminium factory. Over 100 years of heavy industrial waste has been removed, and 400 tonnes of steel, cast iron and copper have been recycled.
Around 25,000 cubic metres of hardcore has also been recycled, with 85% of the stone used in the new construction sourced from the original site. The surf facility will be filled with rainwater taken from neighbouring mountain reservoirs.
It requires 33,000 m3 of water to reach the required level and the fill takes 18 hours. Once in the lagoon, the water will be cleaned with a UV disinfectant and filtration system, so surfers will not be subject to any harsh chemicals or chlorination. The water will be, quite literally, as pure as the driven snow.
Surf Snowdonia is also a leap of faith. The International Surf Association (ISA) wants to show the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the sport of riding waves should be recognised as an Olympic sport.
The £12-million investment will create over 60 direct jobs, additionally sustaining around 100 jobs in the supply chain. It is expecting in excess of 75,000 visitors per year.
