Surfrider Foundation: Pratte's Reef

Pratte's Reef F.A.Q.
(frequently asked questions)

11/16/2000

When will it break?

Unfortunately, we don't know when the reef will break because nothing like this has ever been done before around here. Surfers have been studying the wave behavior that makes a particular spot "work" for years, it will take some time to gain local knowledge on what wave conditions are best for the reef. The shoreline around the reef is still responding to the reef's installation. Once the reef settles and sand accumulates and we get the right swell we are hopeful that there will be some surfable waves at the site. We will have to monitor the reef over several seasons and after the ocean bottom changes to know what type of swell will make it break. Further, the additional bags scheduled to be placed Spring 2001 will increase the size of the reef which will also effect the reef's performance.

What swell direction is needed for the reef to break?
Although we are still unsure, exactly what swell will make the reef break, we are guessing that the reef will most likely break on a west or southwest wind swell.

Will it be exposed at low tide?
No. The reef was built so that it will never be exposed even at the lowest of the lowest tides.

Why isn't Pratte's reef breaking when there are waves breaking at "shit pipe"?
"Shit pipe" is a structure that is very long and extends about 1 mile from the shoreline. This makes it a refractive structure so it can focus energy from a mile offshore towards the pipe. Pratte's reef is only about 1000 cubic yards of material and sand has not yet filled in behind it. In addition, the reef is placed in a water depth that is deeper than we would have liked to ensure that the reef is safe and not a hazard in the water. Pratte's Reef is not a refractive structure; there is nothing offshore to focus waves at it.

Why is it called "Pratte's Reef"?
Tom Pratte was Surfrider Foundation's first executive director and the driving force behind making Chevron accountable for altering the shoreline. He also wanted to protect existing breaks from being destroyed. The reef is dedicated to Tom Pratte to memorialize his dedication to this project and the preservation of surfable waves.

What type of monitoring will you be conducting?
Over the next 5 years Surfrider will be monitoring the reef and the surrounding shoreline to see how the reef impacts the coast and effects surfing in the area. The monitoring plan includes: daily surveys, monthly dives, quarterly beach profiling, bathymetry studies and reporting and underwater video surveillance.

Why did you build it where you built it?
Although we would have preferred building the reef at the actual site where the surf was diminished, we were unable to because we could not place the bags on the existing pipes. Also, we did not want to build it near any other existing structures for fear that it might disrupt existing breaks.

Is construction completed?
No. The second phase of construction is scheduled for spring 2001 thanks to an additional $200,000 grant received from the California Coastal Conservancy. This will increase the size of the reef by about 80%.

How deep is it?
The reef sits in about 15 feet of water. At a "zero tide" the reef is approximately 8 feet deep. This was confirmed by one of our divers.

Why did this project take so long to build?
There were many hurdles to clear before we could begin construction. Many permits had to be obtained, which was not easy since this is the first time an artificial surfing reef has been built in the United States.

Will Surfrider build more artificial surfing reefs?
That is not known. This was an experimental mitigation project that we will be monitoring. It is our intention to carefully document the many possible effects of the reef as well as the technical performance of the design and construction. Surfrider has an Artificial Reef Policy that is available on our web site. Part of the idea of this project is to add to the body of scientific literature in studying both the positive and negative effects of constructing an artificial surfing reef. Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of breaking waves.

For more information contact: The Surfrider Foundation http://www.surfrider.org 800.743.SURF

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