Architects A+DPA have designed a 15-acre (60,700sq m, 653,400sq ft) wave park with a 5.4-acre (21,900sq m, 235,200sq ft) surf lagoon is to be built in the UK town of Coleshill near Birmingham, more than 100 miles from the closest surfable ocean.

The £25m Emerge Surf Birmingham will also feature an outdoor heated swimming pool, a perimeter track for Onewheel self-balancing electric skateboards and a 1,600sq m (17,200sq ft) hub building. Other amenities will include a surf school, surf shop, café and restaurant, multi-purpose fitness studio, physio and massage room and children’s play area.

Technology from Emerge Surf partner Wavegarden will be used to create waves in the lagoon. According to Wavegarden, the Cove system can create up to 1,000 waves an hour at heights of up to 2.4m (7.9ft) with riding time of 10-15 seconds. The size, shape, power and frequency of the waves are all customisable.

Emerge Surf told CLAD it's working with to ensure that the impacts of the development are minimised and mitigated wherever possible. This will include using the majority of the materials excavated when creating the lagoon to re-profile the site. The development will also reportedly use renewable energy and low carbon technologies to keep environmental impact to a minimum, although details of these have yet to be confirmed.

Steve Price, founder and CEO of Emerge Surf, said: “Our vision is to not only provide a world class surfing experience for surfers of all levels, but also a wide range of complementary activities.”

Discussing the potential benefits of the site, Price said: “We’re confident that bringing a little slice of the ocean to Birmingham will deliver a positive social impact and boost mental and physical wellbeing. In addition, we’re very keen to work with local schools not only to teach children to surf, but also to offer swimming lessons and instruction in water safety.”

Emerge Surf Birmingham is expected to attract around 250,000 visitors a year and deliver an annual economic boost of between £18m and £21m to the region. Initial plans, subject to planning approval, show construction commencing late this year and the park opening in spring 2021.

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