“Wavegarden Scotland will play a key role in encouraging and developing future Scottish surfers.” Photo: Wavegarden Scotland
If it feels like every week a new developer comes out of the woodwork to announce the latest and greatest surf park is in the planning stages somewhere in the world, that’s because that’s exactly what’s happening. Investors are pouring money into wave pool projects the world over to either be gleaming new centerpieces of housing developments or malls, in an effort to attract tourism, or to train the next generation of championship surfers and assert global preeminence (ahem, China).
So, it’s no surprise that yet another wave pool development project has come to light – this one a Wavegarden Cove planned for Edinburgh, Scotland.
According to the BBC, Scotland’s first artificial wave park, Wavegarden Scotland, now has the necessary permits to begin construction in an area of the Scottish capital called the Craigpark Quarry pit.
The major selling points of the thing echo those of every other planned Wavegarden Cove: 1,000 rippable waves per hour, job creation, a boon to the local economy, etc.
Not unlike other wave pool projects in countries currently underrepresented in the upper echelons of competitive surfing, Wavegarden Scotland hopes to be both a tourist attraction and a place to cultivate Scottish surfing talent.
“We already have some the world’s best waves in Scotland and the scene is growing, with some great young talent coming through the ranks,” said Andy Hadden, the co-founder of Tartan Leisure Ltd, the developer behind Wavegarden Scotland. “Wavegarden Scotland will play a key role in encouraging and developing future Scottish surfers and putting this fantastic sport in the spotlight.”
