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NEWS
Wales gains new adventure destination as first waves break at Surf Snowdonia
POSTED 31 Jul 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
The Snowdonia attraction caters to surfers of all levels, with its own surf academy Credit: Surf Snowdonia
One of Wales’ largest visitor attractions is set to welcome its first guests as Surf Snowdonia – an artificial surf lagoon built on the site of an old aluminium works – starts to break waves on the edge of Snowdonia National Park.

The £15m (US$23.3m, €21.3m) development – designed by architectural firm seven with Planit operating as consultants, NJL consulting as masterplanners and Wardell Armstrong as engineers – uses brand new wave technology from Spanish company Wave Garden.

Wave Garden’s technology is formed around a central pontoon housing an underwater ‘plough’ that creates a 2m (6.6ft) high wave once every minute over the length of the 300m (984ft), 30,000sq m (322,000sq ft) lagoon. It will be the world's first commercial application of the technology, which has created the longest man-made surf wave in the world. Up to 52 surfers can be accommodated in the lagoon at one time, with rides lasting about 18 seconds. The consistent wave technology is far reaching, opening up the possibility of surfing eventually becoming an Olympic sport.



The Snowdonia attraction caters to surfers of all levels, with its own surf academy teaching surfing, bodyboarding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), surf yoga, surf fitness and open-water swimming. Also featured is a media compound for international competitions, low impact sleeping ‘pods’ along the lake’s waterfront, a restaurant, retail and indoor play facilities. Larger accommodation lodges have also been built and will retain the natural character of the woodlands surrounding the lake.

The attraction expects to welcome around 75,000 people a year. Architects seven have designed the main Hub Building with a 50m (164ft)-long glazed elevation overlooking the surfing lake, giving spectators clear views of the action from the restaurant and retail spaces. The building also contains the main reception, equipment hire and changing facilities.

The development is very eco-friendly, with much of the former aluminium factory’s parts reused in the development and the lake filled using 100 per cent rainwater collected from the mountains.
The development was designed by architectural firm seven with Planit as consultants, NJL consulting as masterplanners and Wardell Armstrong as engineers Credit: Planit
The consistent wave technology is far reaching, opening up the possibility of surfing eventually becoming an Olympic sport Credit: Surf Snowdonia
RELATED STORIES
  Surf Snowdonia, with architecture by seven, to be world first for new Wave Garden surf generator


Surf Snowdonia, a massive surf facility in north Wales, UK, has announced an opening date of July 2015. Architects seven have been working alongside the master-planning team to design the buildings.
  Surf Snowdonia gets final approval for north Wales site


Plans for a huge surf facility in Snowden, north Wales have been given the go- ahead after gaining unanimous consent from Conwy County Borough councillors.
MORE NEWS
London Museum makes destination dining part of the attraction
London Museum will open four new food and drink destinations when it launches its new home at Smithfield on 28 November, making hospitality a central part of the visitor experience at one of the capital's biggest cultural openings of the year.
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and private membership under one roof.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
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NEWS
Wales gains new adventure destination as first waves break at Surf Snowdonia
POSTED 31 Jul 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
The Snowdonia attraction caters to surfers of all levels, with its own surf academy Credit: Surf Snowdonia
One of Wales’ largest visitor attractions is set to welcome its first guests as Surf Snowdonia – an artificial surf lagoon built on the site of an old aluminium works – starts to break waves on the edge of Snowdonia National Park.

The £15m (US$23.3m, €21.3m) development – designed by architectural firm seven with Planit operating as consultants, NJL consulting as masterplanners and Wardell Armstrong as engineers – uses brand new wave technology from Spanish company Wave Garden.

Wave Garden’s technology is formed around a central pontoon housing an underwater ‘plough’ that creates a 2m (6.6ft) high wave once every minute over the length of the 300m (984ft), 30,000sq m (322,000sq ft) lagoon. It will be the world's first commercial application of the technology, which has created the longest man-made surf wave in the world. Up to 52 surfers can be accommodated in the lagoon at one time, with rides lasting about 18 seconds. The consistent wave technology is far reaching, opening up the possibility of surfing eventually becoming an Olympic sport.



The Snowdonia attraction caters to surfers of all levels, with its own surf academy teaching surfing, bodyboarding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), surf yoga, surf fitness and open-water swimming. Also featured is a media compound for international competitions, low impact sleeping ‘pods’ along the lake’s waterfront, a restaurant, retail and indoor play facilities. Larger accommodation lodges have also been built and will retain the natural character of the woodlands surrounding the lake.

The attraction expects to welcome around 75,000 people a year. Architects seven have designed the main Hub Building with a 50m (164ft)-long glazed elevation overlooking the surfing lake, giving spectators clear views of the action from the restaurant and retail spaces. The building also contains the main reception, equipment hire and changing facilities.

The development is very eco-friendly, with much of the former aluminium factory’s parts reused in the development and the lake filled using 100 per cent rainwater collected from the mountains.
The development was designed by architectural firm seven with Planit as consultants, NJL consulting as masterplanners and Wardell Armstrong as engineers Credit: Planit
The consistent wave technology is far reaching, opening up the possibility of surfing eventually becoming an Olympic sport Credit: Surf Snowdonia
RELATED STORIES
Surf Snowdonia, with architecture by seven, to be world first for new Wave Garden surf generator


Surf Snowdonia, a massive surf facility in north Wales, UK, has announced an opening date of July 2015. Architects seven have been working alongside the master-planning team to design the buildings.
Surf Snowdonia gets final approval for north Wales site


Plans for a huge surf facility in Snowden, north Wales have been given the go- ahead after gaining unanimous consent from Conwy County Borough councillors.
MORE NEWS
London Museum makes destination dining part of the attraction
London Museum will open four new food and drink destinations when it launches its new home at Smithfield on 28 November, making hospitality a central part of the visitor experience at one of the capital's biggest cultural openings of the year.
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and private membership under one roof.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
San Antonio Zoo reports $283 million economic impact as expansion plans progress
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade- long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas attraction.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
Clip 'n Climb

Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and investors more than 40 colourful and unique Cha [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
28-29 Sep 2026

Wellness Destination AI Tech Summit – Tourism, Hospitality & Real Estate, 28-29 Sept 2026

Grand Ballroom, METT Singapore, Singapore
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

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Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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