Viewpoint – Thumbs up from surfer Wayne

It’s well known that I’m a keen surfer, so when I was approached about supporting a new surf park in Dairy Flat (HM August 12), needless to say, I was on board!  

The proposal will bring significant benefits to our economy and introduces a world-class recreation opportunity for Aucklanders. I predict it will also have a wider appeal for tourism, which has been hit hard since Covid-19 and in the recent economic uncertainty. 

To top it off, the park’s scale will mean Auckland plays an even greater role in the recovery of the tourism industry. Eventually the park will be able to host major global outdoor events in surfing, mountain-biking and skateboarding. It is my hope that the park will encourage more money into these extreme sports that Aucklanders love so much.

I’m keenly aware that the Hibiscus Coast is still picking itself up economically, and this not only offers another recreation attraction to boost hospitality, but also offers local employment and business opportunities. Much of this area is flagged for future growth, and the surf park could really help jumpstart the local economy, alongside existing recreational activities such as Snow Planet in Silverdale.

From an engineer’s perspective, it’s the smartest project I’ve seen in a long time. It will be heated all year-round using waste heat energy from a Spark data centre. I know this is a large-scale project with complex engineering needs, but I am confident the engineering, design, and environmental matters will have been addressed through the streamlined consenting process. I understand this assessment has been very robust, and the applicant has worked hard to provide what has been required in environmental offsets. This includes the provision of infrastructure and conditions, which no doubt will be worked through as the development moves ahead.

It also has a strong environmental focus, introducing, at scale, solar technologies to power the lagoon along with the heat generated from the data centre, and includes other high-value blue-green spaces. 

The park not only offers an inland and all-weather surf break for a growing professional sport, but it also brings together complimentary activities, such as visitor accommodation, and retail offerings.

I have seen the success of similar parks in California, Australia, and Spain, and like these other cities, Auckland will now be able to host surfing events where surfers can train in an all-weather environment. 

Best of all, it didn’t cost ratepayers a dime, so I am very grateful to the private sector for pulling together and creating such a space.