Royal Docks set to become extreme sports destination
4th January 2008
Venture Xtreme, a unique project incorporating a surf centre and extreme sports complex, designed by Baca Architects, will form part of the visitor attraction area at Silvertown Quays. The surf centre will be located alongside the aquarium Biota! and will include London's largest permanent outside beach and a surf pool with perfect waves all day, every day!
Sitting alongside markets, specialist sports shops, waterside restaurants and cafes, the surf centre will spectacularly animate a large part of the Pontoon Dock, bringing the water to life in an exciting and dynamic way.
A specially designed enclosure, holding almost 7,000 cubic metres of clean, filtered and heated water forms the basis of this unique environment. Waves up to 1.8 metres high will roll 100 metres down the dock, before breaking on London's first ‘silver sand' beach.
The centre is expected to attract 100,000 surfers and body-boarders a year along with five times as many spectators. Waves of all shapes and sizes can be created for all levels of ability, from total novice to professional surfer.
The second phase of the Silvertown Quays development will house London's first extreme sports complex, complimenting the surf centre and providing year round adventure facilities for local residents, Londoners and those further a field.
The facilities will include:
•- an indoor wave rider (great fun for all, but it also allows surfers to learn or train before going out into the main pool),
•- a climbing wall,
•- a scuba dive tank,
•- ropes course,
•- ice climbing wall,
•- children's snow room
•- ice bar.
The surf centre is due to open in 2010.
