From 2011, the world's first outdoor artificial surfing machine will try to rival ocean breakers using cleaned river water. The Venture Xtreme project at Silvertown Quays has secured outline planning permission; building work to transform the former grain dock will begin this year. An artificial beach with palm trees, boardwalks and rentable fire-pits and barbecues is planned for post-surf relaxation.
The £20 million ($44 million) project is the brainchild of Steve Jones, an adventure sports enthusiast who climbs, canoes and surfs and believes that urban surfers, mocked as "weekend warriors" by coast-dwelling locals, want to take to the waves after work instead of going to the gym.
Surfers can expect to pay £30 for an hour's session that will offer at least 10 waves a rider, each rolling more than 100 metres. The wave machine can be set to make the surf break left and right from a central peak. Floodlit surfing and screens highlighting riders' best moves aim to attract an estimated 100,000 surfers and body-boarders a year, as well as half a million spectators.
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