January 31, 2014

Plans progress on Napier wave park

People could soon be surfing in central Napier as plans to develop New Zealand’s first artificial wave park are progressed.

Plans for the state-of-the-art wave garden in the city take another step forward next week, with Napier City Council seeking the green light to prepare a business case to develop the wave park.

The artificial surfing lagoon would be a first for New Zealand and would generate perfectly formed tubing waves that can ‘peel’ for more than 220 metres without losing power or shape.

“This would be a huge national and international attraction for Napier and Hawke’s Bay,” Mayor Bill Dalton says.

It is proposed international wave-generation company Wavegarden design and manufacture the facility.

“This type of attraction is exactly what Hawke’s Bay needs to expand its overall tourism offering,” Hawke’s Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas said. “As a region it is essential we invest in tourism infrastructure to create more reasons to visit.”

The wave is the longest artificial wave in existence and would attract international surf competitions to Napier, Mayor Dalton said.

“But while this would be something for professional surfers, it’s also providing something for all ages and abilities. Even I’d get in a wetsuit and give it a go.”

Every minute, two identical waves break simultaneously on both left and right sides allowing surfers to ride for up to 20 seconds. Once the waves reach the bay area at the end of the lagoon, they transform into smooth, rolling waves, perfect for children, long-boarding and surf lessons.

Kiwi pro surfer Paige Hareb said she was right behind the plan. “This is very exciting for New Zealand surfing. I can’t want it try it. I’ve tried one in Spain and it was amazing.”

While it was originally proposed the wave garden would go on Marine Parade, alternative locations are also being considered, including Lagoon Farm.

The technology is designed to generate 120 waves per hour with an average power of 270 kW. Wave frequency and lagoon capacity have allowed Wavegarden to develop an attraction able to provide a commercial return,”

Napier City Council CEO Wayne Jack said he hoped the project would go ahead. “We are looking at the business case, but the idea is for us to go into a private partnership with someone keen to make this happen.

“The next step is to develop a detailed business case to see how we can bring this exciting concept to fruition.”

The proposal will go before NCC’s City Development Committee on 5 February.

For more information see: www.wavegarden.com

ENDS

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