Surf Centre
Docklands Surf Centre
The original docklands surf centre was proposed for Silvertown Quays, opposite the Excel Centre in East London. Early in 2010 the wider development project surrounding the surf centre became a victim of the unprecedented economic downturn and was forced into liquidation . Since then the surf centre has been looking for a new home in London for what Time Out Magazine in its 40th anniversary edition described as one of London’s most iconic and visionary projects proposed in the coming years.
The Surf centre brings together a stunning mix of truly innovative and exciting destination attractions creating a new heart for any regeneration scheme. The Venture Xtreme surf centre will spectacularly animate any dock location, bringing the water to life in an exciting and dynamic way. Original design in conjunction with BACA Architects
The Venture Xtreme surf centre would be a world first, offering perfect surf waves 365 days a year. A specially designed enclosure, holding 7,000 cubic metres of clean, filtered and heated water forms the basis of this unique environment. Waves up to 2 metres high will roll 100 metres down the dock, before breaking, and gently petering out on London’s first all year sand beach.
The centre is expected to attract over 150,000 active surfers, body-boarders and swimmers a year along with more than five times as many spectators. Waves of all shapes and sizes can be created for all levels of ability whether a total novice or professional surfer.
The Pool
The surf pool at the narrow end, where the waves are created, will be 25 metres wide, broadening to over 75m at the beach, which is 100 plus metres away. The water will be filtered and treated so it is totally safe for swimming and by acting as a heat sink for plant in adjacent buildings, it is hoped that the water can be gently warmed. Although for most of the year wearing a thin wetsuit will be necessary for extra warmth, in the summer months active swimmers and surfers will be comfortable in just their swimming costumes.
The Waves
Two large waves 2 metres high or three smaller waves 1 metre high can be created each minute in the surf pool. The waves 25 metres wide at the start can break from the centre, left or right allowing 2 surfers at a time to ride 100m into the beach, performing all manor of tricks and stunts on their way. Thirty metres out from the beach, responding to a change in topography in the base of the pool, the wave reforms to produce a smaller wave, perfect for learning to surf and for body-boarding. At this point the wave will be over 40 metres wide allowing 10 to 15 body-boarders to surf into the beach at the same time.
Surfing will operate all year round and in the summer up to 18 hours a day, flood lit in the evenings to create a fantastic viewing spectacle. The waves will be over looked by thousands of spectators on the beach and in bars and restaurants all around. Regular competitions and demonstration events will also attract people in their thousands, as well as sponsorship, TV and the media. The waves will be suitable for experts, novices, bodyboarders, canoe surfers and stand-up paddle suffers.
Surfing will operate all year round and in the summer up to 18 hours a day, flood lit in the evenings to create a fantastic viewing spectacle. The waves will be over looked by thousands of spectators on the beach and in bars and restaurants all around. Regular competitions and demonstration events will also attract people in their thousands, as well as sponsorship, TV and the media. The waves will be suitable for experts, novices, bodyboarders, canoe surfers and stand-up paddle suffers.
The Beach
The perfect white sand beach is 100m wide and up to 25m from front to back, giving enough space for over 200 swimmers, sun bathers and surfers. The warmed clean waters will attract families as well as sports enthusiasts. In the evenings it will be possible to rent fire pits for larger groups and barbeque areas as well as to just chill out on the sand with a drink from the bar.
Groups and corporate events could rent the whole beach for parties, themed on the quintessential California surf lifestyle. Beach bars, hammocks, palm trees and board walks will all add to the atmosphere on warm summer evenings. Demonstration events and full production shows can be organised for the ultimate back drop to any party.
Giant Screen
The plant room and water tanks that produce the surf waves are up to 10m high and 24 metres wide. These will be concealed inside a themed rock effect cliff. On the front elevation, facing the beach and boardwalks to either side will be a giant LED screen of over 100 square metres. This unique permanent screen will be able to show surf movies, advertising, news, results and close ups of wave riders in surf competitions. The potential for showing highlights of the Olympics or International football matches, to thousands in the surrounding, bars and restaurants around the pool is endless.
The Climbing Wall
Wrapping and screening the wave tanks will be a climbing wall, 24m wide, 9 metres deep and up to 12 metres high in the centre, offering over 50 climbing routes. The climbs will be graded for all abilities of climbers and can be used by local children in the day and accomplished climbers in the evenings. The climbing wall will be the largest outdoor wall in the country.
On the front face will be for 4 climbs overhanging the deep water of the surf pool. These can be used for the new cutting edge adventure sport ‘deep water soloing’ which involves climbing without ropes above water. Climbers will be able to ascend increasingly difficult problems above the water of the surf pool, with falls of up to 10m waiting for those who slip from the top!
On the front face will be for 4 climbs overhanging the deep water of the surf pool. These can be used for the new cutting edge adventure sport ‘deep water soloing’ which involves climbing without ropes above water. Climbers will be able to ascend increasingly difficult problems above the water of the surf pool, with falls of up to 10m waiting for those who slip from the top!
The top of the climbing wall will also be used as a base for other adventure sports including a high speed zip wire that flies 150m across the pool to land on the beach in front of the waiting crowds. High divers could do demonstrations and shows from the top of the wall into the dock, while fan drop descenders would allow other adrenaline seekers to plunge off either end of the wall, simulating free fall parachuting!
Beach bar
A variety of bars and restaurants will surround the surf pool including a fantastic beach bar accessed from the boardwalk with steps down on to the beach. The beach bar will be everything a Hawaiian bar should be, offering the typical surf lifestyle, tropical music and serving the best cocktails in town!
On the roof of the floating retail unit will be a contemporary and stylish restaurant and bar; the ‘coolest’ place to eat in London. There will be spectacular open views over the surf centre and climbing wall. The first floor Balcony Bistro and Café above the operations hub will have a wide balcony/mezzanine supported by columns from below, providing the best views of all over the surf centre and giant screen. During events and competitions the balcony bar will be the perfect hang-out for the media, judges and corporate sponsors.
Surf Retail
Floating in the main dock in adjacent to the surf pool is an opportunity to build a surf retail unit of approximately 250 square metres. Accessed from a boardwalk, surfers and those seeking the cool surf lifestyle image will find all they need in the store. Merchants such as Quicksilver, O’Neil and Billabong are all potential tenants to serve this community. Themed to blend in, the surf store will enhance the views and animate another part of the dock.
There may also be space for bespoke and niche retailers and artisans around the site making anything from custom surfboards and skateboards to jewellery and T-shirts.
