Post by SHARK on Apr 21, 2009 20:46:24 GMT 1
SURFING businesses in Tynemouth yesterday hailed the reef idea.
Stephen Hudson set up the Tynemouth Surf Company in 1995, whose premises overlook Tynemouth Longsands. He said that surfing had grown to the point where on busy days there were up to 100 surfers in the water. "I think an artificial reef is a great idea. It would mean surfing on days when, at present, people can’t surf. With school or other group bookings we could guarantee waves and that is what we need."
Tynemouth has already hosted the O’Neill British Surfing Championships over three years and this weekend sees a UK professional surfers event.
The Rubber Soul surf shop opened on Tynemouth Front Street four years ago. Shop manager Chris Deeney said: "Surfing has really taken off and a reef is definitely a good idea. If you get waves breaking in the same direction and in the same places, you attract the travelling surfers and it will also allow people to practise and improve the standards of surfing."
Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, said: "The idea of creating an artificial reef off the North Tyneside coast for recreation purposes could provide opportunities to protect and extend wildlife habitats if it is executed in a sensitive way."
Anna Etchells, marketing co-ordinator at Tynemouth’s Blue Reef, said: "The idea of creating an artificial reef is extremely interesting and we look forward to working with the relevant parties to investigate it further."
Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, said: "The idea of creating an artificial reef off the North Tyneside coast for recreation purposes could provide opportunities to protect and extend wildlife habitats if it is executed in a sensitive way."