Digital & Tech case study: Hydrock

A visionary inland surfing destination

This landmark destination uses cutting-edge Wavegarden ‘Cove’ technology to provide up to 1,000 waves per hour, with our full range of multi-disciplinary engineering services instrumental from concept stage through to detailed design.

Nine years in the making, the £25m surfing lagoon project is powered by 100% renewable electricity and delivers the opportunity to surf all year round, independent of weather conditions and tides. The facility includes six different surfing zones offering waves of different size and power for up to 80 users at one time.

Multi-disciplinary engineering delivery

In addition to the facility’s clubhouse, Hydrock’s structural engineering team designed the structural elements of the lake including a fibre reinforced bathymetry slab, significant retaining walls and most notably a 100m viewing pier that extends into the lake for visitors and spectators.

Hydrock developed a site-wide drainage strategy, including a geo composite drainage layer that is just 4mm thick to remove hydrostatic pressure when the lake is empty.

Wherever possible, environmental concerns were taken into consideration when choosing materials and methods of construction. The site was built minimising the carbon footprint as much as possible. The buildings are timber-clad and insulated with sustainable wood fibre. They’re also fitted with solar thermal panels that pre-heat water to reduce energy use.

Image credit: The Wave

A sustainable solution

From the outset, there was a clear vision to create a destination that champions sustainability and the natural environment.

The Wave’s sustainability strategy was based on a triple bottom line approach, balancing social, environmental and economic factors, with an emphasis on ‘reduce, reuse, and recycle’.

Leading environmental activist, Chris Hines MBE, and co-founder and director of Surfers Against Sewage, set the sustainability agenda. Understanding what ‘good’ looks like for a surfing destination, Chris was instrumental in working with the engineering and construction team to make The Wave a place that delivers positive change.