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
Surf Snowdonia gets final approval for north Wales site POSTED 06 May 2014. BY Tom Anstey 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.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
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
Surf Snowdonia gets final approval for north Wales site POSTED 06 May 2014. BY Tom Anstey 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.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
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