Twenty days to go.
While surfing around the internet, looking for ocean-related topics, I happened across this story about Europe’s first artificial reef for surfing: http://www.24dash.com/communities/15292.htm.
The story is of interest because a recent suggestion to build such a structure in the South Beach area of Miami Beach was scorned by the representatives of the Surfrider Foundation, who opposes the idea of creating a watersports area that would feature an underwater art gallery for recreational scuba divers, when there are no waves.
In addition to the Jose Cuervo underwater bar, the art gallery would include Ross Power’s newest concept, ‘Focus,’ a 16-foot wide, 10-foot high stainless steel structure Ross refers to as ’structural marine habitat.’
Themed areas in the near-shore, shallow-water art gallery would include marine shapes, such as fish, turtles, rays and mermaids, as well as statues of mythological figures, like Poseidon, Neptune, Jacques Cousteau and Mike Nelson.
I was told the Surfrider Foundation is opposed to any manmade structure being placed near a ’surfing area,’ due to an assumption that a pile of concrete will disrupt the breaking action of an ocean wave.
The idea of a surf-oriented reef was suggested, to enhance the watersports park, but the idea of using an artifcial reef to enhance wave action is new, so a ’wait for someone else to try it’ attitude persists.
It really doesn’t matter, however, because the County allowed the permit from the Army Corps. of Engineers for the South Beach Artificial Reef Area to expire.
Sometimes good ideas are wasted because they are unusual.
Building an artificial reef is a good idea. Using an artistic flair, is an enhancement.
Ask the tourism folks in the Florida Keys about the economic impact of the Christ of the Deep statue. Sunset House on Grand Cayman has received millions of dollars in media coverage, and sold thousands of room nights to divers who want to swim with a nine-foot bronze mermaid. Grenada now has a concrete executive sitting at a desk, located in 20 feet of water. Concrete executive. I new a few, and they weren’t in the water. Although, I suppose, their head was, figuratively speaking, of course. Miami’s Atlantis Memorial Reef will provide fish habitat among statues, domes, arches and columns. Divers will find the most unusual mixed-use artificial reef in the world later this year.
Mixed with concrete in specific areas of the reef site will be cremated remains, for those who want to spend eternity in the ocean, rather than a land fill. You can make reservations for eternity…Atlantis Reef Project.
Here’s another surf site that mentions the European surf reef: http://www.70percent.org/blog/europes-first-artificial-reef/.
Hopefully, the idea will work and Miami Beach can have an underwater art gallery – when the ocean is calm – and an surf park when it’s to rough to scuba dive.
Remember Liquid Lounge and our slogan: Don’t drink and dive, don’t stay too long; don’t mess with the fish, or they’ll soon be gone.
Tommorow, we’ll discuss the South Beach Water Tower.
By the way, if you know of any underwater art, please let me know.
