The new surf park featuring Wavegarden Cove technology represents Scotland’s largest investment in sports infrastructure in a decade.
Lost Shore Surf Resort will officially open to the public on November 11 in Ratho, located 15 km from the Scottish capital and just 10 minutes from the airport, following the largest Scottish sports infrastructure investment since the 2014 Commonwealth Games (£60 million). With the first waves already breaking, the surf park is expected to welcome over 160,000 visitors each year, create more than 130 jobs, and contribute £11 million annually to the local economy.
“It’s fantastic to see how Lost Shore Surf Resort has transformed the former Craigpark quarry in Edinburgh into a new surf destination. This will be our ninth facility globally and the largest Wavegarden Cove in Europe,” stated Josema Odriozola, CEO and founder of Wavegarden. “Additionally, every aspect of our technology is designed to provide the best experience for surfers with over 20 different types of waves, while maximizing energy and water efficiency.”
The Largest Surf Park in Europe
The Scottish facility is equipped with Wavegarden’s market-leading artificial wave generating technology. The 52-module Wavegarden Cove can produce 1,000 waves per hour, creating over 20 types of waves ranging from 0.5 to 2 meters in height suitable for all skill levels. The surfing lagoon can accommodate more than 90 surfers at a time, with each wave consuming only 1 kWh (£0.10). These features make the technology unique and offer a sustainable, profitable business model.
Beyond surfing, Lost Shore Surf Resort combines sports with dining, lodging, and entertainment for a complete experience. With over 250 meters of beachfront, the facility offers a variety of accommodation with wave views for families, groups, and individuals with special needs. Further, there is a surf school, surf shop, a Surfskate Academy, a selection of top Scottish restaurants, a sauna, and other wellness services.
Andy Hadden, founder of Lost Shore Resort, described the project as „a dream come true after nearly 10 years of planning,“ highlighting that the new park „will make surfing more accessible for everyone. “Who knows, this might be the training ground for Scotland’s next Olympic surf champion,” explained Hadden.
Stephen Leckie, chairman of VisitScotland, praised the facility as “one of the most exciting tourism developments globally.” While Paul Stark of the Scottish Surfing Federation emphasized that “the facility, with its consistent and customizable waves, is a game-changer and will open the sport to a much broader audience.”
Scottish big-wave surfer and Red Bull athlete Ben Larg stressed that Lost Shore will be “a huge boost for Scottish surfing,” benefiting the next generation of surfers by ensuring “world-class waves.” Finally, Ruriadh Farquarson, coordinator of The Wave Project, highlighted the transformative power of surf therapy in this innovative setting, which will be “accessible year-round” to support the mental health of young Scots.
Projects like Lost Shore reinforce Wavegarden’s vision of surfing as a catalyst for economic and social transformation, demonstrating the impact of the sport on communities by creating meaningful employment, promoting well-being, and fostering local development.
