Surfer’s paradise could make waves in Midlands
£25m plan revealed to create artificial lagoon near Birmingham
ALAGOON complete with a surf school is set to bring a little taste of the coast to landlocked Birmingham.
Ambitious plans for the development have been unveiled by Londonbased Emerge Surf, which is hoping to win the backing of planning chiefs for its £25 million project.
If given the green light, the complex would be built on 15 acres of land west of Coleshill town centre, in Warwickshire, and would house a wave-generating system which would allow people to enjoy surfing just seven miles from the city centre.
Called Emerge Surf Birmingham, it will also have an outdoor heated swimming pool, hub building, skateboard track, shop, cafe and fitness studio.
West Midlands Growth Company said it expected the facility to attract 250,000 visitors a year, inject up to £21 million into the local economy annually and create the equivalent of 100 full-time jobs.
The project has the backing of pro surfers and former Olympic javelin thrower Tessa Sanderson and it is hoped that interest in the sport will be increased by surfing’s inclusion in the Olympics for the first time next year.
Subject to planning approval by North Warwickshire Borough Council, construction is set to start this year and be finished by spring 2021.
Steve Price, founder and chief executive of Emerge Surf, said: “It’s an incredibly exciting time in the development of surfing. The mental and physical benefits of the sport are increasingly understood and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will hugely increase levels of interest and participation.
“In parallel, the significant strides made in wave pool technologies have the potential to make the sport accessible to all.
“Our vision is to not only provide a
world-class surfing experience for surfers of all levels, but also a wide range of complementary activities.
“We are proud to be developing the UK’s most landlocked wave park.
“We’re confident that bringing a little slice of the ocean to Birmingham will deliver a positive social impact and boost mental and physical wellbeing.
“In addition, we’re very keen to work with local schools, not only to teach children to surf but also to offer swimming lessons and instruction in water safety.”
Emerge Surf Birmingham will work in partnership with national governing body Surfing England to deliver certificated tuition and with charity Surf Life Saving Great Britain on a wide range of courses for water safety.
It is also partnering with The Wave Project to deliver therapy through surfing to local children suffering with a range of mental health issues.
Similar facilities are already in operation or planned in Snowdonia, Bristol, Edinburgh and Bournemouth.