Improving surfing conditions in conjunction with coastal erosion protection

Crawford, Peter Alexander (2013) Improving surfing conditions in conjunction with coastal erosion protection. [USQ Project]

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Abstract

The coast offers many benefits to the community, environment and economy. The numerous benefits that exist adjacent to the ocean help contribute to the popularity and value of our coastal regions. Surfing is just one of the many community benefits which incorporates the ocean into a recreational playground. The coast is also a transient boundary that exists between the ocean and the land. This region is subject to variations and Coastal erosion. Coastal erosion is most simply put as the advancement of the ocean across this boundary.

The general quality of a wave and the type of surfers it will attract can also vary. If these surfing parameters are adequate the chances of a quality surfing wave is increased. Surfing will in turn provide many benefits to the community and economy.

In some specific instances the actions which result from waves impacting with the coastline can cause coastal erosion. Due to the importance of the coastline it is often necessary to protect assets, infrastructure and community values. It is possible to defend against coastal erosion with various methods. In order to protect the coastline from the action of wave processes.

This report hopes to highlight an added consideration to maximise the benefits of coastal defence projects by incorporating surfing considerations. Surfing is dynamic and growing industry. By improving the surfing conditions during coastal management projects greater benefit to the community can be achieved.

The document provides an investigation of a coastal protection project at Narrowneck Gold Coast, Queensland and a sand bypass pumping project at Snapper Rocks Gold Coast Queensland. The Narrow neck project incorporated improved surfing conditions as a second objective after coastal protection as its main design criteria. Snapper Rocks was ultimately a sand by passing project which has become a world class surfing wave and is part of the Association of Surfing Professionals Annual World Competition Tour. The report also proposes some sites for future considerations works in relation to coastal protection and nourishment within the local Government region of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.

This report was instigated after the author surfed at Narrowneck Beach Gold Coast Queensland. The swell had picked up and the stretch of coastline along Surfers Paradise was not offering much more than a solid closeout. After checking the surf conditions at Main Beach near Beach tower 40 off Macarther Parade, a consistent sand bank was noticed to the south. This bank of sand was later found to be the location of the Narrowneck Artificial Surfing Reef, installed under direction from Gold Coast City Council.


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Item Type: USQ Project
Item Status: Live Archive
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Civil Engineering and Surveying (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021)
Supervisors: Thorpe, David
Date Deposited: 30 Mar 2014 08:43
Last Modified: 01 Apr 2014 05:10
Uncontrolled Keywords: surfing conditions; coastal erosion protection; narrowneck; Gold Coast
Fields of Research (2008): 09 Engineering > 0905 Civil Engineering > 090509 Water Resources Engineering
Fields of Research (2020): 40 ENGINEERING > 4005 Civil engineering > 400513 Water resources engineering
Socio-Economic Objectives (2008): D Environment > 96 Environment > 9609 Land and Water Management > 960903 Coastal and Estuarine Water Management
URI: https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/24705

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