Emerge Surf has lodged a planning application for a 15-acre site, approximately seven miles to the east of Birmingham’s city centre at Coleshill. 

With the closest surfable ocean waves more than 100 miles away, the facility  will be a haven for landlocked surfers and those keen to try the sport for the first time, say the developers.

“Our vision is to not only provide a world class surfing experience for surfers of all levels, but also a wide range of complementary activities,” says Steve Price, founder and CEO of Emerge Surf.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time in the development of surfing. The mental and physical benefits of the sport are increasingly understood and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will hugely increase levels of interest and participation. In parallel, the significant strides made in wave pool technologies have the potential to make the sport accessible to all.”

Emerge Surf Birmingham is expected to create 100 full-time equivalent jobs, attract around 250,000 visitors a year and deliver an annual economic boost of between £18m - £21m to the region.

Project partners

Emerge Surf will work with surfing technology providers Wavegarden, Surfing England, Surf Life Saving Great Britain, The Wave Project, Future Motion Inc and Seaholm to develop the scheme.

Facilities

Emerge Surf Birmingham will consist of a 5.4-acre surf lagoon, outdoor heated swimming pool, 1,600sq m hub building, car parking and a track for One wheel rental.

Other planned features are a surf school, surf shop, café and restaurant, multi-purpose fitness studio, physio and massage room and children’s play area.