As TraffordCity undergoes a huge long-term expansion, including wellbeing resort Therme Manchester and more, we’ve caught wind of the latest plans set to make waves at the next-level leisure destination. And when we say ‘make waves’, we mean both literally and figuratively – in the form of Modern Surf, a new surfing lagoon coming to Manchester.
Receiving approval back in 2021, Modern Surf has made further advancements with Peel Waters, the team behind the Lost Shore Surf Resort in Edinburgh, appointed to to create and deliver the much-anticipated inland surf park in Manchester. The £75m development will be the first inland surf destination in the North of England, allowing visitors of all ages and abilities to get on a board and catch some waves.
Designed as a ‘safe cove environment’, the facility will use Wavegarden technology – the world leader in man-made, wave-generating technologies – creating consistent waves for beginners, learners and professionals alike to enjoy. The technology can produce 1,000 waves every hour at different intensities and have capacity for up to 90 people to surf at any one time.
In addition, the surf lake will also be home to a café/restaurant terrace, pop-up beach bars, surf shop, and changing facilities all within an interactive environment with everything from pump track and fitness zone to a halfpipe/boarding area, and exercise, bouldering and balancing zones.
Future visitors of the surfing destination will benefit from its highly accessible location which is within walking distance of both bus and tram stops and is located over the road from the UK’s first next generation experience centre, Trafford Palazzo and the future Therme Manchester site, which will be the UK’s first city-based wellbeing resort.
Andy Hadden, Founder of Tartan Leisure, the team behind the Lost Shore Surf Resort, said: “There has been an enormous rise in popularity for surfing over recent years with proven benefits to our overall health and wellness. The Lost Shore Surf Resort in Edinburgh is on track to open next September and the response and appetite that we have seen from the public has been phenomenal.
“Now, we are excited to work in partnership with Peel Waters and bring over a decade of our knowledge and expertise to support the development of an inland surfing facility to TraffordCity. This will be a very exciting addition to an already incredible combined retail and experienced based leisure destination for all to enjoy.”
Popularity for surfing is at an all-time high, with the take-up of the sport doubling every two years since 2016 and surfing being recognised as an Olympic sport for the first time in 2020.
Studies into ‘Blue Health’ show that exposure to water can have a hugely positive impact on mental wellness and this proposed new development will allow people to do this in a controlled environment. The new inland surf park in TraffordCity will bring together wellness and recreation, offering an experience for all abilities, whether it’s trying out a brand-new sport or offering the opportunity to train year-round.
The estimated build time of the surf destination will be approximately two years once the team start on site.