Artificial Surf Reef to Become a Diving Attraction

The controversial artificial surf reef built in Boscombe, United Kingdom, will turn into a diving and snorkel attraction.

ASR Limited, the company which built the Boscombe surf reef, has been in liquidation since September, 2013, and the repairs needed to improve the structure won’t be completed.
“The Council has made it clear that no additional taxpayers money will be spent enhancing the reef’s performance for surfing, and that position remains unchanged”, explains Mark Smith, head of tourism at Bournemouth Council.
“Plans include a commercial dive centre, a try-dive facility, and a dive and snorkel trail around the existing reef, with additional submerged artifacts for more experienced divers”.
Surfing and bodyboarding, however, will not be a priority despite the investment of three million pounds. The Boscombe surf reef was officially declared open on the 2nd November, 2009, and has been closed since May 2011, due to problems with the geotextile bags.
The authorities say that the damaged reef have also “become a draw for kayakers, stand up paddle-boarders and snorkelers, keen to catch a glimpse of the teams of marine life that have now colonized the reef”.
In 2011, only four out of its 11 performance targets were successfully confirmed. Nick Behunin, ASR managing director, has disappeared.

Surfer Dies After Shark Attack

 Wetsuit Centre News

Sad news has broken of a young surfer who sadly died as the result of a shark attack in Australia
Zac Young aged nineteen was surfing off the coast of New South Wales at Campbell’s Beach, with friend when he was a shark bit of both legs.

His friends helped him to fight the shark and he eventually broke free. The friends dragged him to shore and tried to resuscitate him but were unable to save him.

“His mates struggled with the shark for a short time,” said a police inspector, Joanna Reid. “Then the shark has let go and friends then courageously managed to get him to shore It has taken a bit of time to get him to shore and he lost a fair amount of blood on the way. It’s just a tragic, tragic incident.”

The attack occurred while Mr Young and his friends were surfing on Saturday afternoon at Campbell's Beach near Coffs Harbour, about 280 miles north of Sydney. Medics said he died of a traumatic cardiac arrest.

Surf Life Saving NSW closed all patrolled beaches in the area for 24 hours. This is the second attack in the space of two days.