Bunbury’s world-first inflatable artificial surf reef coming 2022

Wax up the surfboard, the world-first inflatable artificial surf reef is coming for a second attempt at Bunbury’s Back Beach in 2022. The first Airwave prototype was installed at Back Beach in December 2019 before it tore, but founder Troy Bottegal has earmarked January-February 2022 for the next install. International developers, councils and resorts had expressed interest in the Airwave, Mr Bottegal said. “Places like Cyprus, Mexico, Vanuatu ... they’re all waiting and watching the Bunbury site,” he said. Mr Bottegal said the reef would put Bunbury on the international surf map, and presented the project at the 2019 Global Wave Conference — an international gathering of more than 400 industry delegates. “A successful install brings tourism, innovation and so much more to Bunbury,” he said. “We’re on the world’s radar.” Since the first install, the team has learnt what worked for the project to allow for a successful second attempt. “The first Airwave was a prototype, not a failure,” Mr Bottegal said. “You have to break your prototype or you’ve over-engineered, and now we’ve worked out the kinks and know what we’re doing at the finish stage.” Mr Bottegal said there were many things only the ocean could prove, and the learning curve was steep for a project such as this. The project is still looking for local investors to help speed up the process. Mr Bottegal said he was turning towards WA manufacturers for the second Airwave and would use a stronger, weldable material. “We’re in the research and development stage and are busy trying to nail the design,” he said. He encouraged the South West community to support the project and follow along with its developments. “Our end goal once successful is to install five or six Airwaves along Back Beach,” he said. “Bunbury can be transformed into a surfing hub.”