No more closeouts

Anyone who has watched a clean swell crest and then dump as a massive closeout on a Bunbury beach has wondered what it might be like to have an artifical reef. With the risk of erosion and damage from climate change a real threat and the push to make Bunbury a tourist destination, the time might be right to start pushing governments of all types to invest in a reef.

The benefits would flow to the environment and for recreational surfers, fishers and divers. Build it right and tourists (especially those interested in water sports) would start to use Bunbury as their base for trip down south, rather than that place they drive past on the way to waves.

One company ASR has built a number of reefs around the world. This video shows the results of their latest venture in India.


India's First Multi-Purpose Reef Goes Off from ASR Limited on Vimeo.

Differently the Same

A month ago I was complaining that it was hard to write because each day was another of rain, decent size swells, onshores and closeouts.

Now it is just as hard to write because it is days of sun, small but ok sized swells, strong offshores and closeouts.

Nothing surfable on the Bunbury coast. The Bay has a few body boarders in the corner who are catching some small wedges in between avoiding the set on the head.

If only we had an artificial reef. Don't forget to vote in our artificial reef poll.

What do we need ?

Consider the last few day. Good winds, even tides and a nice clean swell. But was there any surf ? Sure there were waves, close outs, dumpers and fat dribblers in to a rip but no real, consistent surf.

Imagine if Bunbury had an artificial surfing reef (or better still three or four). Anyone who has surfed here for a while has watched swells roll in and smash pointlessly on the shore and dreamed of a decent reef.

There are a huge range of options. BP reef used to produce long lefts and with a bit of work may be able to again, with a right as well. Watch Hungry Hollow from the side on even a small day and you'll see what looks like an Indo dream. Or stand near where Fawlty Towers used to be on an offshore day and watch straight swell lines as far as the horizon, peaking way out but never breaking. There is plenty of beach south of Hungry Hollow with potential for a surfing reef.

Surfing reefs aren't just for surfers. With changes in sea level predicted, artificial reefs could have the benefit of preserving and stabilising beaches or protecting infrastructure, like Ocean Drive.

Bunbury is trying to attract tourists. If people are honest there isn't much here to keep visitors interested but it could be sold as a pivot point to the south west, with people heading off for day trips but returning here. A surfing reef would attract the older, richer surfer who wants the restaurants and nice hotels, without the costs of Margaret River. Head down south for the early and some lunch, back to Bunno for a nanna nap and the LAGO at the artificial reef. Next day, breakie at Cafe 140, day trip to Pemberton and the back for another wave with the friendly locals.

Want more reasons ? What about better fishing or shore based scuba diving. Perhaps marine studies for High School or improved beach safety for swimmers (no dumpers).

This isn't the first time artificial reefs have been floated in Bunbury. The Bunbury Surf Sports website has details of some of the early attempts. Perhaps it is time for us to start asking the question to council and government again !! Keep watching the blog for more information.

In the mean time there is a poll on the Blog site to gauge what type of wave we should be asking for. If your reading this in an RSS feed click on the title or here to get to the poll.