Investment groups in the Kingdom of Bahrain have announced details of a new development which will feature a Wavegarden Cove artificial wave lagoon as its main attraction.
Set to be the Middle East and North Africa’s first-ever Wavegarden installation, the Bahrain Surf Park - Club Hawaii Experience will a key component of the Bilaj Al Jazayer development, a sprawling 130 hectare feature along Bahrain’s southwest coast. With major backing from Edamah (Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company), and GFH Financial Group, this project is about to become a new destination for surfers and water sports lovers worldwide.
Wavegarden advise that “the development is shaping up to be a full-on destination (with a) surf school to get customers started, restaurants for those feeling hungry after a session, beach bars for unwinding after a day in the water, a skatepark, retail stores, event spaces and a panoramic terrace (with views of the park and the Arabian Gulf).”
It is expected to be a major tourism draw, pulling in around 300,000 visitors a year and hosting 140,000 surf sessions annually.
Wavegarden have also emphasised the attraction’s sustainability explaining that is designed with energy efficiency in mind, using 10 times less energy than comparable systems, noting “each wave uses just 1 kWh of energy (which is roughly 0.10€ per wave) and the smart designs actually recover and reuse part of the energy.”
Commenting on the project, which is expected to be finished in 2026, Wavegarden’s Chief Commercial Director, Fernando Odriozola, stated “it’s a game-changer not only for Bahrain but for the entire Middle East.”
This news comes a day after the World Surf League completed its first contest at Surf Abu Dhabi
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well as caring for Stella the pug.
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