Wave pool in the Thames ?
What could be better after a hard days work in the City of London, than popping on the tube, board under arm, for some 100 metre point break, 6ft waves ? Fantasy …… or is it. Following this article in the Guardian news paper it looks like this might have stepped closer to reality. Outline planning permission has been granted and, if all goes well, by 2011 you could be catching a wave after work.
I have been reading alot of comments from surfer who live on the beach in Cornwall or elsewhere how this is not “real” surfing. Having lived and worked in London (and I live on the beach now) I can safely say that this is going to be fantastically popular. Would I rather sit in a car for 5 hours to get onshore slop, horrid food, expensive car parks and localism or pop down the road and catch afew waves, then get on with my life…..hmmmm.
Don’t get me wrong - I love living on the coast and surfing in the sea, and I would always prefer it to a wave pool, but I used to be a skater, and a big part of me loves the thought of urban surfing (although I am not too keen on the Thames water !), especially in consistant 6ft waves. I am certainly going to make the trip in 2011 and, hopefully, take my SUP kit.
Matt this looks awesome…. but I could do with this in my back garden.
Trouble is we will be going to London for a surf on those flat summer days… just think of the line up their… bit of a long way to paddle to the next wave
But honest it looks great… just what I need when I’m in town
Ride safe
Andy
Comment by Andy — January 11, 2008 @ 9:30 pm
At least a wave pool will have waves with some push. UK waves are so fickle and mushy. Got board will surf. I bet they wont let you bring your own board ( revenue ) and the boards will be foam.
Comment by NorCal Al — January 21, 2008 @ 10:43 am
Depends which UK waves you are surfing on
Comment by SUP Matt — January 21, 2008 @ 11:45 am
I love surfing, I’ve spent all my young days on a beach and I’ve grown in the water surfing waves. Now that I live in London what I miss the most is just this, surfing with friends.
If the pool becomes real, This would be a dream that comes true!
Would you imagine invite all your best friends from your home town here in London and take them for a ride?
When I call them they always take the piss.
Things might change!
All the best
Comment by matteo — February 1, 2008 @ 7:09 pm