Watch: Aerial view of the half-complete Palm Beach reef
Work on the Palm Beach artificial reef is now half-complete with a due date - bad weather notwithstanding - of September. Late last week the council did a flyover, the vision providing some perspective about size (the barge is 53 metres long), distance from shore, and also depth. The rocks you can see are all between 4 and 8 tonnes.
The reef is primarily to halt erosion though the designers also factored surfing amenity into its shape. However, it's success as a wave isn't assured.
Comments
No sound, no commentary, no info......would seem like a massively missed opportunity from the Council. I can see why their youtube channel gets so many hits now......
Yep, what a flop that was.
Wow - reef shallowness is as planned but to see so clearly through the water makes the claims a reality and confirms it will break a lot. If they get the gradient right - nice an even - it will produce good waves. I reckon it could be a slab in big swells.
The sand build up will be interesting and is more of an unknown. To me it is a world first - a well located and designed permanent man made reef with genuine surf potential. Will watch with interest.
Time to name it....
Sharkies - keep crowds down
Bashers - after true blue basher who is rumoured to be body surfing it solo at night already
Boulders - obvious
Kuzzas - after the dredge
Suggestions anyone....
Palmy reef?
Reefy Mcreefface?
Yep I like Reefy McReefface. And when all the blow ins come to tweed I'm going to go up there and surf Reefy McReefface.
There's already a "palmy reef"... Maybe name it after the first non-sponsored person to get barreled on it or wait for the shape of the wave before it gets named e.g. flops, fatties, sqaureoes, impossibles, off-its-tits..??
Crowdeds Rights and Crowdeds Lefts
The groms already named it months ago its called “Ball Bag reef” or “Ball Bags.”
The groms already named it months ago its called “Ball Bag reef” or “Ball Bags.”
Groms don't get naming rights.therefore doesn't count
Ted from the moon's...request...
Courtesy of Swellnet Stu's other PB reef site...(tbb...19 July 2019)
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2019/05/23/palm-beach-a…
or go directly here for... { Message from our Mayor } [via 7 news facebook]
https://www.facebook.com/7NEWSGoldCoast/videos/1276122889217803/
Stu sussed that the reef broke in last Swell...Photo's & Lifeguards did confirm such!
Lifeguards also told of Wave strewn base after the swell as you can clearly see.
The shore side 4 tonne collar boulders now pepper wave strewn Base Rubble.
Stu alludes to the upper range 6-8 Tonne boulders which will soon arrive.
Thanks TBB - don't worry I am well aware of it......just was a broader comment re the Council.
We need another one in Surfers, 100 - 300m North or South of Jewel. If it works, property prices go up.
Seems like a lot of rocks in a relativley small area ,would have thought making it more like a vee shape would have more success but i suppose its still only halfway finished.Maybe more smaller versions along the coast would help.
Any plan drawings available?
Follow link at bottom of text above, Pete.
I wish the council would invest in that dredge ship from 2 years ago. ,
It saved the beaches up this way after big storms and awesome banks overnight .
Would make more sense from a surfing perspective as this reef is gonna be ridiculously crowded no matter what the wave quality .
That winter from 2 years ago there were A frames for weeks .
wardy wrote
as this reef is gonna be ridiculously crowded no matter what the wave quality .
Which is why it should be named either "Drop in reef'' or 'TIIT' reef, TIIT standing for take it in turns.
They should call it Kunnz
As that is what everyone is going to be yelling at each other
And if the barrels spit, you could call it Palm Queef
Going to be interesting to see what the outcome is wave wise, good thing is unlike say here in Vicco up there gets many different direction swells, so might increase the chances of a surf able wave.
Can someone teach the Council how to draw a triangle pointing at the Ocean?
Bring back Pizza Hut Kirra ya mongrels.
Also, we need two huge ocean pointing triangles at Collaroy.
And... There's a lot of beach up Stockton just above Newcastle.
Does anybody know how deep the sand is above the bedrock? Will the boulders slip as the sand erodes and washes out from underneath?
Goyd point. It will be interesting to see when it breaks up under pressure. A shallow reef will get pounded harder.
You could fit 20 artificial Lower and Upper Trestles on that stretch of beach!!
its just going to create a wave like beacon and pippies yes.... Aframes:)
[factcheck] Stu's Reef was summoned up by swellnet Stu in winter of '19.
Legend has it that Stu's Reef only fires up when Huey brainwashes our chosen one.
Kelly's 'Offshore shelf company' may sound like some sorta Pro surfer's 'tax break'.
But it pays to know...GC rates are extorted fairly for all offshore Beach Bum royalties.
Our whiteshoes decide which celeb gets next ratepayer funded bombed out bombie.
Border Patrol drop ins are tax deductible for Dutto's Palmy Army & Kelly's Heroes.
[ LOCALS ONLY ]
Could be a lot of distortion in the wave. Creating less than desirable conditions?
Distortions? Like undersucking, you mean? Going deep to shallow too quick.
Looks to be to many holes between the blocks creating different currents....
Most great reefs are flat with little to no hole in them.
Unless this thing gets filled with sand or concrete it could be pretty warbly.
s
?
?
Just cleaned up the north coast beach’s for 6 months befor they realise it’s a rock reef there’s this boil and go na man we surf sand breaks back to Lennox.
Interesting to see if sand movement north is impacted and Burleigh heads suffers which was noted in the peer review
A surfable wave time will tell and I hope it pumps but I suggest welcome to narrowneck 2 and we all know how good the surf is there after being designed by Shaw Mead global expert on reef design from ASR
For sure Shane - my prediction it sinks into the ocean floor just like the Narrow Neck bags. There was a pic of Munga taking off on a slabbing right just after the bags were dropped, first and last time it actually created a wave I think...
Its been many years since I surfed the one at Leighton in WA but that had no gradient and was very slabby and short...plus they put it in a spot that gets fuckk all swell soooooooooooo....
Palm Beach Reef (south) aligns with Pacific SLSC [T 15] Northern Flag.
Bathing reserve extends 400m offshore. (It's 270m > PB Reef 160m x 80m)
Sth Reef surfboard riders either backdooring right or lining up left with Flags
Don't panic! Pacific SLSC is the least busy of GC popular swimming reserves.
No weekday Winter Patrols = less / no swimmers...Holidays may be an issue!
Maybe the least of surfer's concerns!
Remember '70's Snorkeling craze...(It's Back!)
Black Opps snorkelrz now spawn Narrowneck Reef II (The Redo!)
New Reef Beacons direct ratepayerz to designated offshore sinking funds.
a) Penthouse buys Wave of the Day
b) Battler'z rated Lot goes in the raffle for bog standard mush head dip.
c) Timeshare tickets are good for the Pool Party Wave
d) Schoolies & Backpackers wipeout on the dregz
Will be plenty of frothers tackling shorebreak wedges on the edge of the flagged area down the track. Keep the lifeguards busy unless they shift them flags a bit further south. NE swells will cause more trouble with A-frames rocketing surfers towards the big air section over the odd grandma or two.
TBB will be in the clear body bashing the north flag takeoff like the old Black Ball in California years ago.
All fixable of course with correct flag placement on the day.
Right you are frog...typical basher is just spookin' the crew off his sunken treasure.
Might slap [2P] on the North Flag to clear out them Reef Sharks.
tbb is a pretty pissweak seamonster...swellnet crew can get 1st hour free.
You can guarantee the rock reef will sink into the sand foundation over time like everthing that's place on the ocean and the rate of sinking will be interesting and it will require toppping up with more rock to maintain levels
Regarding the potential sinking of the reef into the sand, It would be interesting to hear the opinion of someone who is an expert in this field. I'm not sure what that field is actually, I guess it could be coastal engineering.
As an eggspert I can comment on the sinking potential.
Once a groyne or man made reef becomes substantial enough i.e. it has a critical mass of rock, with thickness, multiple layers and large boulder size it has a lot of stability even over sand bottom. Thousands of stable rock jetties and groynes around the world prove this. Some settling occurs and wave action scouring in the core of the groyne is prevented. Even in an underwater reef, scouring and sinking in the central core of the reef will be limited if it is thick enough which it looks to be.
So the core of the reef will be very stable. BUT the edges may be a different matter in that the fringes of the reef will have less volume, thickness and weight and so will experience more scouring. I could imagine the edges sinking faster and, unless sand builds well around the structure, the gradient of the reef might become steeper over time - perhaps on one side more than others. Hopefully the engineers have factored this in and have reasonable thickness on the edges and larger boulder sizes to "edge" the reef.
The key thing here is to note why any such reef needs to be quite massive (and expensive) as this one is. A cheapo version with a thin layer of rocks would disappear into the sand over time.
If it works there will be more over time around the world to protect property and as a by product - create surf spots. But the cost will mean they will not pop up everywhere as some posters have hoped. Climate change is, however, motivating councils and the other such bodies to consider these options more so than in the past. A lot of eyes beyond us surfers (with decent budgets) will be watching the results.
Lot of good points there Frog.
Yeah, cheers Frog.
be interesting.
first time I've seen the vid, first impression is the reef looks like a bit of a shapeless blob of rock.
whether those bathymetric dimension are enough to create a surf able wave let alone a good wave seems a total mystery bag.
Plenty of bommies around that just rear up and topple over or even slab without creating a good wave.
then the other thing is sand build up in the lee and creation of a frame peaks from swell refraction.
It all seems plausible but not totally probable.
About the only definite thing is it will be a baitfish attractor.
And....freeride has just clicked over into fishing talk.
recon it might sustain a healthy population of juvenile sharks with mum and dad hanging out also.
And....freeride has just clicked over into fishing talk.
recon it might sustain a healthy population of juvenile sharks with mum and dad hanging out also.
And....freeride has just clicked over into fishing talk.
recon it might sustain a healthy population of juvenile sharks with mum and dad hanging out also.
And....freeride has just clicked over into fishing talk.
recon it might sustain a healthy population of juvenile sharks with mum and dad hanging out also.
And....freeride has just clicked over into fishing talk.
recon it might sustain a healthy population of juvenile sharks with mum and dad hanging out also.
Spuddups might be interested in Professor K. Black's [Sinking of Narrowneck Reef]
https://www.waterworldyork.co.uk/interview-with-professor-kerry-black/
or
2012 Coastal Engineering (Narrowneck Reef Findings) re: Settlement of Reef
Dredging to scarp level was 'not' considered cost effective.(re: Sandbag experiment)
As such Bags were placed on a 'levelled bank' as to Palm Beach Plateau Reef Base.
Over time (as expected) the weighted Reef shuffles downward to find scarp level.
How Much?
Narrowneck Reef : Was built .5m above design level to compensate for settlement.
Note: Design level was still purposely kept deep enough as to avoid surfer litigation.
tbb never stood firm but did read of a crew with head above water on lowest tide.
(10 years) Reef had sunk 2m or 1.5m below design level...(Also see Sand Bags)
*Sandbag Types (Note: All seams are/were intact on all bags)
Polyurethane (Geo Textile 'Coated' only) Hard & ridged split on impact few remain.
Geo Textile (proper)
Elco Max 1200 R (Lifespan-15 years) or use by 2015
Elco Max 1200 RP (Lifespan -25 years) model used for top ups!
Reef Sandbag (Placement & Maintenance)...within 1m accuracy
1999 / 232' bags
2000 / 160'
2001 / 16
2002 / 10 (6 RP replaced South Reef Lefts) Poly Bags torn by anchors +4 North right
2004 / 15 (6 RP formed a bridge between Reefs + Flares > 5 inside extending right)
2006 / 17 (11 RP Bags further stoked up the Right Reef) 4 Inside Left
2006 Reef maxed out @ 450 Bags Surf lined up best from here fading away by 2011
This is because the sand banks on ocean side back fill & starve shoreside.
As the Reef sinks by (2m / 10yrs) so does the bank then the wave crests back down.
Full report.(link)
file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/6956-28593-1-PB.pdf
'Narrowneck Reef Renewal' 2017(Sept) to 2018 (June) Project Cost $2m
84 additional newer,better,stronger Geo Textile Bags
2019 Mid Winter Swells 'seem' to have scattered bags about. (No news to date!)
Palm Beach Reef (phase 1) raised a sand platform of 10 loads x 6,000m3
https://rohde-nielsen.com/img/1054/0/0/Download/balder-r
Palm Beach Artificial Reef re: (Red Square near north Groyne)
https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/gold-coast-beach-nourishment-38539.html
Phase 1 (Sand Plateau) saves on costly Dredge Scarping + Expensive Boulder build.
Sand Plateau rock crown (PB reef)was also brushed after recent winter Swells.
One would expect raised Reef to sink more than 2m + over 10 years.(Top up plans?)
Something I would not wish on anyone but given this thing is made up of cubes of rock, it will be interesting to see how this pans out for the first victim who eats the bottom in a major way. There seems to be some large gaps between those blocks that someone could get jammed into on a big day.
Could be some nice fishing around the edges, as the construction looks like it will provide a ton of shelter to smaller species giving them a chance to grow.
It is also worth noting why the core and base is smaller quarried rock. Obviously it is cheaper. But the other reason is, just like gravel under pavers, smaller uneven rock create a massive interlocking surface area that weight from the larger capping stones is distributed through. The push down into the sand (or you garden soil when paving) has a much greater surface area of contact between the rubble (or gravel) and the substrate. This makes it much less likely to sink.
Interlocking rock creates stability but also dissipates energy through the structure reducing force at any one point and lessening scouring. The geotextile bags at Narrowneck, in contrast, are more like blunt objects that may take the full force of a swell and can slip and slide over sand or each other (as well as the obvious puncture and deterioration issues). Hence the move to rock.
They should have asked an eggspert not WSR back when planning Narrowneck.
What's with the 'eggspert' references, Frog? Something obvious I'm not picking up on?
What field you in?
Boogerz (AO) version...also banks on a Mutant Slab with inside carnage.
https://movementmag.com/read/2019/5/22/artificial-reef-begins-construct…
tbb has given Reef some deeper thought...Boogerz are gonna slime this Reef.
Boogerz are basherz worst nightmare on a reef waved by a Chequered Flag.
basherz can dig out deep sub backdoor line but boogerz are 1st to scoot face.
Boogerz will likely open a Mc Lid Cafe @ Palmy Reef Maccas Skate -Thru.
tbb will sneak back during boogerz big lunch to rummage thru lost & found.
The amount the rock will sink into the sand is a geotechnical issue and is a function of both sand density and erosion from water movement around the rock foundation Unless they have down cpt testing on the sand which can measure density they will not have any understanding of the rate of settlement but they will have no idea in regrards to erosion from water movement around the base and no fancy computer modelling will tell you If the so called experts say they do I think they are dreaming Hydrodynamic modelling over the years has proving to produce nice pictures but not factual with accurate outcomes. have a look at Portsea in Port Phillip bay which now has no beach after channel widening and modelling didn't predict that
My formulae to determine stability and the subsidance rate for the reef is;
(C /Z x ¥ (45K + 3 V)) / (₩ x 7Y)
I think i will be proven correct . Will confirm my prediction in 2021.
Feel like i am studying structural mechanics all over again...........
yeah its pretty fascinating, love reading the stuff from people that sound like they have a bit of an idea in this field.
1st time I watched the video I thought the same as a few have been saying, its just a blob of rocks, but if you watch it a few times there is a bit of triangle shape, stop the video at 0.36 to 0.38, also note the bend in the wave going past.
id be pretty excited if i lived in this area.
Yeah well that's the same equation I use so what makes you an eggspert?
Dr Frogg
Phd in Georeefmorphology
University of Krapikstan
Frog wouldn't be holdin' out on the firing sequence..mate!.
tbb's Beach Flag protection racket comes at a cost.
Share spot X with the crew or tbb won't hesitate to wave down the nippers.
This is serious! We're up against poll position boogerz as you know!
tbb is entitled to one wave per rate notice + any of the crew's unused timeshare. Yes!
perhaps a far far far better way of generating waves than energy sucking wave pools?
It’s called “Ball Bag Reef”or “Ball Bags”. It broke over a week ago and that’s what the groms at 19th are calling it.
Droppinthembombs are you sure the Palmy basherz didn't name it Ball Bags Reef ?
Basher'z bait balls trawling down the line, we face the sack here, quite Iiterally...Man up!
PB 'Ball Bagz' surf reef is not to be confused with the Bournemouth 'Ball Sack' surf reef.
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/23/11/4599389300000578-5008105-…
Was looking at it the other day and a dozen or so guys were on it and it was showing a bit of potential...already ....seeing as it is half way finished.
Just saw some water pics of it on FB hard to see exactly how good it is, but definitely a wave and very shallow, like ankle deep or less in parts.
re: /\ Stu's link page...transferring Palm Beach Reef (Live Timelapse) to this page.
https://www.livetimelapse.com.au/clients/city-of-gold-coast/palm-beach/i…
Tbb on the timelapse piccies...
The A frame peak on one of those - it that the reef? Looks too close to shore but is a real little bowl.
29th July 2019 Palm Beach Reef inspection by Swellnet crew.
tbb thanks GCCC project officer & Locals for (Q&A)
Q: Frog asks... is that little bowl the Reef!
A: Yes! But it's a tricky swim.(Left is a long paddle out & right is a white-out to shore)
Palmy Reef is breaking alongside storm banks, making it appear closer!
Q: Why is the dredge not on site?
A: Dredge packed up for the 2nd time on Sat 27th July (returns after forecast swell )
Q: Did big swell damage GC Artificial Reefs?
A: Yes both Reefs suffered some displacement.
PB Reef waveside (Rubble)shifted about + Major silting over Reef (Mostly Fine)
Narrowneck Reef will be serviced by same Dredge either side of coming swell.
Q: What stage is the Reef construction at?
A: 80% finished, only needs ocean side contouring re:(1-4t 'Green boulders')
Max Height has been reached but needs some top dressing to fill in the Gaps.
1-2 weeks calm ocean is all that is needed to finish project.
Q: I heard surfers were jumping from the Reef onto set waves?
A: True! The Reef is exposed (Ankle deep ) @ low tide. (hence...Ball Bagz reef)
tbb saw surfer dude easily jump from reef onto Wave Face (Good Job 'n' all)
"Palmy Ball Bag Jump offs" coined by #1 Swellnet ...Thanx Crew!
Q: Hang on! Wasn't the Reef supposed to be 1.5m below mid tide?
A: GCCC guy said they shouldn't be surfing it yet as gaps have to be filled in!
Concerns were noted about safety as to gaps in boulders at shallow depth!
tbb did press the Reef guy on depth... but question was dodged quickly & often!
GCCC council may argue wave crest height between set waves to reef is 1.5m
Locals say that Boulders were piled well above sea level during construction
Pause!
Swellnetonians insisted a dry retching Mutant reef as best case scenario...well durr !
Q: Does the Reef break Right or Left + What is the best tide to surf the Reef.
A: Reef breaks right & fast but closes out with beachie the Left skips to shore.
Q: Please tbb tell us more about this Right hander...
Centre Right (Low Tide) gets up fast but soon closes out (1 ramp) down the line.
Back door Right (Full -back out tide) Stokes up a shoulder but soon fades away.
Only takes a small crew to crowd out the right with such quick returns to line-up.
Q: Tell us about this lazy left tbb...will it ever fire up?
A: The left could fuel a Square Mutant Slab that trampolines a pounding shorie.
Whenever there was a foundation stone...Palmy stoked up the lefts...Just saying!
Q: How does Wind affect the Reef Break!
A: Tricky Question! PB Reef is fussy...Offshore or nothing!
Unfortunately S/E or Onshore upsets the wave to go all sloppy over the Reef.
Designer Reef has fussy taste...Huey won't put up with this shit..re: (Mutant Slab)
Q: What about [P]
A: Avenue [P] hrs is less restricted than other GC towns. (Might change with Reef?)
Alternate 7/11 across Hwy 15m [P] for Wave Check + a/h School [P] Just Saying!
Q: What about (Surfers Dress Code) for Swimming,Snorkeling & Bodybash'n
A: GCCC Tsunami Attire Only ( No Stickerz = No Surf) [Basherz Prohibited]
LG Patrols 4 x No Swim Zone (Hopefully no patrols come next Winter?)
Q:Does the Dredge Noise & Silt drive the Whales away?
A: Yes! Several Whales moved back in Sunday after the Dredge left the site.(Saturday)
tbb confirms that a pod Whales were playing near the Reef without Dredge!
Locals emphatically claim that Dredge keeps the Whales away!
tbb / Swellnet crew thank GCCC Reef Guy & Palmy Beachgoerz for inside Reef info!