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BOSCOMBE REEF OPENS A YEAR LATE Europe's first artificial surf reef has been officially unveiled in Dorset, more than a year late. The £3m project was expected to open in October 2008 but construction was delayed until April 2009 due to bad weather. Bournemouth council finished its safety checks with RNLI lifeguards before the official opening at 1030 GMT on 2nd November 2009. The reef, which has more than doubled in cost, was built by New Zealand-based ASR to enhance waves and is part of an £11m regeneration of the seafront. It was created to improve surfing conditions using 55 sand-filled "geotextile bags" which are 225m (740ft) out to sea. ASR said it was enlisted to help Bournemouth improve its surfing conditions in order to increase tourism. It said the reef would provide a much more "substantial benefit" to the beachside community in terms of coastal protection. Visit the Reef's website. - - -