Four-time world champion Mark Richards has weighed in on plans for an artificial bank at Blacksmiths.
The bank, based on the success of the Gold Coasts Snapper Rocks Superbank, would be created from excess sand dredged from Swansea Channel.
However the local legend says geographical differences between Snapper Rocks and Blacksmiths would have to be considered.
“The (Gold Coast) Superbank even though it was created by sand pumping, is unique in its geography. The reason it’s so good is not just the sand, it’s the swell direction and shape of the headland,” he said.
“Any sand pumped into the southern corner would theoretically enhance the shape of the banks and improve the surf”. Yet the surf champ says there could be issues with keeping the sand in place.
“Non-surfers don’t really understand the movement of the ocean and the way sand moves around a beach depending on swell direction. There is no guarantee it will stay where they pump it”.
However Lake Macquarie Deputy mayor Daniel Wallace says the movement of sand would be a consideration during the council’s feasibility study.
“It’s very likely that the best location would be a few hundred metres north of the breakwall,” he said.
“The geography of blacksmiths beach is different, but basic principles of a sand bank assisting swell once hitting the sandbank and allowing the top formation of the wave to form and travel at a greater speed then the underwater component of the swell, will still exist”.
Lake Macquarie has plans to begin the bank’s feasibility study in the coming weeks.
