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.
The outdoor adventure destination features a 30,000sq m (322,000sq ft) lagoon – with waves courtesy of Spanish wave technology company Wave Garden. It will be the world's first commercial application of the technology.
The lake will have a central pontoon housing an underwater ‘plough’ that creates a 2m (6.6ft) high wave once every minute over the length of the 300 metre (984 foot) lagoon. Up to 52 surfers can be accommodated in the lagoon at one time, with rides lasting about 18 seconds.
The £12m ($18m, €16.6m) Surf Snowdonia development will cater for 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. It will also have a media compound for international competitions.
About 75,000 visitors are expected each year.
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 Family Activity Building contains a multi-decked children’s assault course and coffee shop overlooking the activity lagoon to enable spectators to watch ‘blobbing’ and the waterslides.
The Camp Site Amenity Building houses the campsite reception and office, lifeguard welfare facilities and WCs / showers for campers. There will also be camping accommodation and sleeping ‘pods’ located along the lake’s waterfront.
Visitors can try the obstacle course, equipped with inflatables and overhangs, at the activity lagoon. Catering includes a lagoon-side café, restaurant and bar serving locally sourced food.
Larger lodges will also be built and will retain the natural character of the woodlands surrounding the lake.
Despite the majestic surroundings, the facility is being built on the site of a former aluminium factory. Surf Snowdonia is recycling and re-using the materials on the construction site and using 100 per cent rainwater to fill the surf lake.
Surf Snowdonia is being developed by Conwy Adventure Leisure Ltd. There have previously been a number of proposals for adventure sports developments in Snowdonia, but most have remained on the drawing board.
