ON BOARD! Specialist team announced to deliver worldclass surfing destination in TraffordCity, Manchester

Waterside regeneration specialists Peel Waters have announced the team behind the Lost Shore Surf Resort in Edinburgh have been brought on board to create and deliver the much-anticipated inland surf park located in TraffordCity, Manchester. 

Tartan Leisure who are more than halfway through constructing the Lost Shore Surf Resort in Edinburgh and specialise in developing and operating leisure destinations, will pick up the delivery of the TraffordCity inland surf park.

First inland surf destination in the North of England

The £75m development will be the first inland surf destination in the North of England and it is set to become a must-visit location for surfing enthusiasts and those trying the sport for the first time.  Using the world-leading inland surfing technology, ‘Powered by Wavegarden’; the TraffordCity attraction will give surfers access to innovative new technology that can produce 1000 waves every hour at different intensities and have capacity for up to 90 people to surf at any one time. 

Planning for an inland surf destination was approved in 2021. Once completed, it is estimated to create up to 140 new full-time jobs during peak times. 

The new surfing destination will further enhance TraffordCity’s expanding portfolio of sport-based leisure and experience offerings, which already includes skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, skydiving as well as being the home of Trafford Golf, which is one of Europe's premiere golf practice facilities. 

Future visitors of the surfing destination will benefit from its highly accessible location which is within walking distance of both bus and tram stops and is located over the road from the UK’s first next generation experience centre, Trafford Palazzo and the future Therme Manchester site, which will be the UK’s first city-based wellbeing resort. 

Excited to work in partnership with Peel Waters

Andy Hadden, Founder of Tartan Leisure, the team behind the Lost Shore Surf Resort said: “There has been an enormous rise in popularity for surfing over recent years with proven benefits to our overall health and wellness.  The Lost Shore Surf Resort in Edinburgh is on track to open next September and the response and appetite that we have seen from the public has been phenomenal.   

“Now, we are excited to work in partnership with Peel Waters and bring over a decade of our knowledge and expertise to support the development of an inland surfing facility to TraffordCity. This will be a very exciting addition to an already incredible combined retail and experienced based leisure destination for all to enjoy.” 

James Whittaker, Executive Director, at Peel Waters added: “Bringing the Tartan Leisure team on board to deliver our ambition of creating a worldclass inland surfing destination within TraffordCity is a huge step forward. 

“TraffordCity is widely recognised as the leading retail and leisure destination in the country and the addition of the new surfing destination will further complement the surrounding businesses and other experience-based leisure attractions we have here. 

“We are excited to bring another iconic attraction to the region which will further enhance the local economy and tourism as well as creating a pipeline of new jobs and hopefully inspire a new generation of surfers from the city!” 

Popularity for surfing is at an all-time high, with the take-up of the sport doubling every two years since 2016 and surfing being recognised as an Olympic sport for the first time in 2020. 

Positive impact on mental wellness

Studies into ‘Blue Health’ show that exposure to water can have a hugely positive impact on mental wellness and this proposed new development will allow people to do this in a controlled environment. The new inland surf park in TraffordCity will bring together wellness and recreation, offering an experience for all abilities, whether it’s trying out a brand-new sport or offering the opportunity to train year-round. 

Manchester based professional coach, Alan Bisseker, who has worked with Olympic and professional organisations, including GB Surfing, also commented on the new surfing facility coming to Manchester: 

"The eagerly anticipated arrival of this Wavegarden powered surfing facility at TraffordCity will be a game changer, not just for the sizeable community of landlocked surfers in the area, but also for the thousands of people who can now try this incredible sport for the first time in a controlled environment. 

"There are few sports that give you as many health and fitness benefits as surfing. This combined with the significant positive impact on mental health and wellness is undeniable and well-documented.  At a time when current and soon-to-be landlocked surfers need it most, this new facility will bring a surfing revolution to Manchester and the North of England and I can’t wait!" 

The estimated build time of the surf destination will be approximately two years once the team start on site.