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Surfing lake for London 'continues to progress'

James W Kelly
BBC News
Endless Surf A surfer in a black wetsuit rides a bright blue artificial wave, crouching inside the barrel at an indoor wave pool facility. A modern building is visible in the background.Endless Surf
The artificial surfing facility would be the second of its kind in the UK

London could get "a slice of the ocean inland" as plans for a £50m artificial surfing lake progress, the company behind it has said.

The Wave wants to develop 56 acres of land in the Lee Valley regional park in Edmonton, north London.

Bosses said the project is in its early stages but they hope to submit a planning application in the spring.

The plans are due to go to public consultation next month.

A purpose-built surfing lake, green space, skateboarding areas, playparks, and health and wellbeing activities could see 100 acres of land transformed.

A spokesperson for The Wave said it has signed a contract with Endless Surf to install the wave-making technology.

The Wave A watercolor-style masterplan rendering of an urban park and recreational facility. The design includes a large wave pool, green spaces, sports fields, walking paths, and several buildings. The site is adjacent to a river on the right and a developed area with roads and buildings on the left.The Wave
The company behind the plans said it could transform around 100 acres

Hazel Geary, chief executive of The Wave, said she was "so excited" the plans are progressing as London "is the perfect location" for inland surfing.

She added: "We have been working closely with Lee Valley for a number of years to develop plans for this incredible, but underused, land in Enfield".

The project is also intended to increase biodiversity, enhance green space, and encourage people to engage with nature, the company said.

The Lee Valley park is already home to an artificial white water rafting centre, and hosted the canoe events for the 2012 London Olympic games.

Getty Images An aerial view of an artificial wave pool in a rural setting, surrounded by green fields, pathways, and small buildings, with an industrial area and a bridge in the background.Getty Images
The wave opened its first artificial wave lake near Bristol in 2019

Shaun Dawson, chief executive of the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA), which owns the land, said he supported the project and hoped it would bring visitors and jobs to the area.

"This would open up surfing for millions of people," he said.

A final planning decision will eventually have to be made by Enfield Council and the mayor of London.

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