Australasian Coasts & Ports 2019 Conference – Hobart, 10-13 September 2019

Napier Port Proposed Wharf and Dredging Project: Assessing Potential Changes to Surfing Amenity
Chris Adamantidis, Benjamin Williams, Martin Single, Michel DeVos, Sylvia Allan

Napier Port Proposed Wharf and Dredging Project: Assessing Potential

Changes to Surfing Amenity
Chris Adamantidis1, Benjamin Williams1, Martin Single2, Michel deVos3, Sylvia Allan4
1
Advisian, North Sydney, Australia; [email protected]
2
Shore Processes and Management Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand.
3
Napier Port, Napier, New Zealand.
4
Allan Planning & Research Ltd, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.

Abstract
Napier Port has recently been granted consents to construct a new wharf and deepen the navigation channel
swinging basin and part of the inner harbour. The Port is a vital regional asset, underpinning local
employment of an estimated 27,000 people in Hawke’s Bay. The additional wharf and associated dredging
will assist future regional growth by ensuring the port can accommodate increases in the number and size of
cargo vessels calling at Napier.

Napier Port is committed to ensuring the proposed wharf and dredging project can be carried out in a way
that respects the environment, including cultural and community values. There is potential for the swell
corridor of locally important surf breaks, present to the west of the port to be affected by the dredging project.
Avoidance of adverse impacts on the surfing amenity was part of the project design brief.

This paper describes a method used to assess any potential changes to the surfing amenity as a result of
the project at the surf breaks and outlines some of the key findings of the surfing amenity assessment. The
assessment analysed the surfing amenity classification of two breaks based on long term measured wave
data and calibrated and verified numerical wave transformation modelling. The results of the assessment
indicated that the surfing amenity at the two breaks would not change considerably as a result of the
dredging project and may be improved under some wave conditions.

Keywords: dredging, resource consent application, coastal processes, surf breaks.

1. Introduction changes in the key surfing amenity metrics at the

This paper describes a methodology for assessing surf break of interest, under the full range of
impacts of engineering projects on surf amenity at conditions that can occur at the break.
a known surf break. The method described can be
applied to assess any project that may have the In this paper we demonstrate the successful
potential to impact on surfing conditions. application of the method to two locally significant
surfing breaks at Napier, New Zealand. The
Impacts on surfing amenity may occur if a project method was used to assess potential changes to
has the potential to change the nearshore wave surfing amenity that may occur at the two surf
approach angle, wave height, or wave steepness breaks in proximity to the Port of Napier navigation
at the surf break. Such impacts may result from channel, due to capital dredging of the central
activities such as dredging, beach nourishment or fairway, outer swing basin, and inner swing basin
construction of coastal structures that may result in at the Port. Using the method described herein, the
a change in bathymetry offshore from the break. Port of Napier was able to demonstrate as part of
the Resource Consent studies that the dredging
The methodology incorporates long term local project would avoid adverse impacts on surfing
offshore wave data, data on surfing paths derived amenity.
using field-based techniques, high resolution
bathymetry data sufficient to resolve the features 2. Surfing Amenity Assessment
of the wave break for spectral wave modelling, and In this paper we suggest the following surfing
collection of short-term wave data near the location amenity assessment method:
of interest to allow calibration and validation of the
spectral wave model. The methodology derives a • Obtain data on the surf breaks and how they
long-term local wave climate at the surf break to are used (i.e. GPS data of surfer positions) to
enable the surf quality to be assessed using determine an idealised surfer pathway at the
several accepted methods including those of Mead surf break.
[7], Lewis et al. [5], Walker [9] and Hutt et al. [4]. • Obtain detailed bathymetry at the break to
The calibrated and validated spectral wave model enable features that affect surf quality to be
can then be applied with predicted changes in resolved in sufficient detail.
bathymetry resulting from the activity to assess
Australasian Coasts & Ports 2019 Conference – Hobart, 10-13 September 2019
Napier Port Proposed Wharf and Dredging Project: Assessing Potential Changes to Surfing Amenity
Chris Adamantidis, Benjamin Williams, Martin Single, Michel DeVos, Sylvia Allan

• Obtain long term wave statistics close to the breaks, with “surfable” conditions reported 14% of
surf break, but in sufficiently deep water and the time and “good” surfing conditions 3% of the
sufficiently offshore to not be significantly time [3].
affected by the features that we are trying to
assess – i.e. this should be seaward of the
proposed dredging, navigation channel or
beach nourishment works. N
• Undertake measurements of nearshore wave
data capturing at least two significant wave
events, one for calibration and one for
validation of the wave model
• Setup a calibrated spectral wave model over a
range of offshore wave directions, periods and
heights encompassing the full range of
conditions that can occur at the surf break.
• Develop a look-up table of transformed
spectral wave model results over the entire
model domain under existing and post-
dredging conditions. The look-up table can
Figure 1: Location of surf breaks (aerial image from
then be used to derive local wave conditions at Google Earth, 28 Feb 2013) and location within New
the surfbreaks based on 10 years of measured Zealand. Dots represent discrete locations within the surf
offshore wave data. breaks where surfing amenity has been analysed.
• Derive a local time-series of wave direction,
and local wave height and then use this to
assess the key surfing metrics of peel angle, 2.2 Surf break data
breaker height and breaker type. Data on the surf breaks was required to enable the
characteristics of the surf breaks to be assessed
Details of and insights into the steps undertaken, and their surfing amenity characterised. For the
as well as a demonstration of the application of the assessment, data on the spatial locations of surfer
process for the two locally significant surf breaks in pathways was required, to enable a characteristic
Napier, New Zealand, are provided below. surfing pathway to be plotted for the extraction of
information on the key surfing metrics.
2.1 City Reef and Hardinge Road surf breaks
The impact of a proposed capital dredging MetOcean Solutions Ltd. [8] studied the City Reef
programme on surfing amenity near Napier Port break, recording surf tracks through the use of
has been assessed with respect to existing GPS, as part of a study into the effects of a
conditions. Figure 1 shows the location of the two breakwater that was proposed for the area. The
surf breaks near Napier Port that were analysed: GPS study identified the location of the left-hand
and right-hand surf breaks, plotted in relation to the
bathymetry (Figure 2).
• Hardinge Road (right hand surfing path); and
• City Reef (including left-hand and right-hand
In addition to the left-hand and right-hand breaks,
surfing paths, and “inner” break).
an “inner” break, predominantly used by surfers
with kayaks and longboards, has been identified
The surf break at Hardinge Road, which extends
[3]. Locations at which existing and post-dredge
west of the groyne at Battery Road, is a sand
spectral wave model time-series were extracted
bottom point break characterised by a uniform
are indicated in Figure 3.
foreshore slope, with swell waves from the East
and South sectors refracting around the Port of
2.3 Key Surfing Metrics
Napier and providing a long ride length with
Lewis et al [5] described various methods for
relatively large peel angles under the right
quantifying the surfing amenity. Mead described
conditions.
the recreational surfing amenity through a series of
descriptive parameters including the wave peel
The City Reef wave break is located immediately
angle, breaker intensity and breaking wave height
West of the Ahuriri harbour entrance at the
[7].
southern end of Westshore Beach. The surf break
is characterised by Rangatira Reef, which covers
2.3.1 Wave Peel Angle
an area approximately 55,000 m2 between the
The peel angle is defined as the angle between the
western training mole at Ahuriri inlet and the
crest of an unbroken wave and the trail of the
concrete cube groyne at the southern end of
broken wave (white water) [7]. Larger peel angles
Westshore Beach [3]. It is reported that the reef
(70° - 90°) suit beginners, with smaller peel angles
break offers good left and right-handed surf
Australasian Coasts & Ports 2019 Conference – Hobart, 10-13 September 2019
Napier Port Proposed Wharf and Dredging Project: Assessing Potential Changes to Surfing Amenity
Chris Adamantidis, Benjamin Williams, Martin Single, Michel DeVos, Sylvia Allan

(30° - 50°) more suited to advanced surfers and

associated with faster surfer velocities. Peel angles 𝛽
𝜉𝑏 = 𝐻
(1)
less than about 25° mean that a large section of √ 𝑏
𝐿∞
the wave breaks simultaneously and cannot be
surfed (this is known in surfing parlance as a where b = Iribarren number;  = bottom slope;
“close-out”). Often the peel angle can be -3.5
-3.5

Hb = breaking wave height; and L∞ = deepwater -3m contour

determined by aerial photography on a given date. -3

-3
wavelength.
For the two surf breaks at Hardinge Road and City -2
-2
-2.5
-2.5
-2m contour

Reef, a time-series of peel angle has been

determined by extracting the wave approach angle
from spectral wave model results at discrete Peel angle, -1.5
-1m contour
-1.5 -1
-1

N
locations within the surf breaks, assuming that the -0.5
-1
-1
-0.5 00
-0.5
-0.5

peel angle is the angle between the spectral wave 00

direction and bathymetric contour. The

methodology for determining the peel angle is
illustrated in Figure 4.
Take-off location 0 50 100

Take-off location-2 -2
m m metres

City Reef right -1 Ave

m "left" Figure 4: Peel angle at Hardinge Road and wave
N Whakarire
-1 m
approach angles from SWAN model calculated using
City Reef right Whakarire
inner Ave -1 "left,
m inner" method of Mead et al. [6]. Note: white water is parallel to
-1 m
the bed contours (aerial photo Google Earth 28 Feb
City Reef right inner
Whakarire-0.5 minner"
Ave "left,
2013)
-0.5 m
m

Four main breaker types are described by CERC

(1984) based on the Iribarren number [2]:
0 100 200

metres
• Spilling Breaker (b < 0.4)
Figure 2: GPS tracks indicating City Reef’s right-hand
• Plunging Breaker (0.4 <b< 2.0)
surfing path (after MetOcean Solutions [8]), with red
representing wave focussing and blue representing • Surging or Collapsing Breaker (b > 2.0).
wave sheltering
Waves suitable for surfing tend to break in the
Take-off location -2 m
Take-off location
-2 m
spilling or plunging range. Spilling breakers break
City Reef left -1 m
gradually and are characterised by white water at
Whakarire Ave "right"

N City Reef right -1 m

Whakarire Ave "left"
-1 m
-1 m
the crest. Plunging waves curl over at the crest
Whakarire Ave "right"
City Reef left -1 m
-0.5 m
with a plunging forward of the mass of water at the
City Reef right inner
Whakarire -1 m inner"
Ave "left,
-1 m
crest. The base of surging breakers surge up the
beach before the crest is able to plunge forward,
Whakarire Ave "left, inner"
City Reef right inner -0.5 m
m
-0.5 m
whereas collapsing breakers tend to break over.

2.3.3 Breaker Height

0 100 200 Waves are considered surfable when the breaking
metres
wave height is greater than 0.3 m [4]. Breaking
Figure 3: Location of left-hand and right-hand surf wave heights from 0.6 m to 1 m combined with
breaks at City Reef, with discrete locations for surfing peel angles higher than 70° are considered most
amenity analysis plotted, and indicative modelled wave suitable for beginners, with more advanced skills
approach vectors [1]. required to surf waves larger than a breaking wave
height of 1.6 m [4].
2.3.2 Breaker Intensity 2.4 Methods for describing Surfability
When waves approach shallow water or an Walker [9] developed a classification of surfer
underwater feature such as a reef, the waves ability based on peel angle and wave height. This
shoal and steepen until the wave becomes classification is illustrated in the form of a
unstable and breaks. Breaking waves can be nomogram, as shown in Figure 5, with various
classified as spilling, plunging, collapsing or classifications of surfer ability depending on
surging, depending on the wave steepness. The breaker height, peel angle and surfer velocity [9].
biggest influence on the shape of the waves is
induced from changes in bathymetry, with Hutt et al. [4] attempted to update this relationship
undersea slope governing the breaker type [5]. based on advancements in surfboard design and
Breaker type is described by the wave steepness the discovery of more challenging surfing
parameter, or Iribarren number, given by:
Australasian Coasts & Ports 2019 Conference – Hobart, 10-13 September 2019
Napier Port Proposed Wharf and Dredging Project: Assessing Potential Changes to Surfing Amenity
Chris Adamantidis, Benjamin Williams, Martin Single, Michel DeVos, Sylvia Allan

locations. A nomogram to describe surfing skill in shown in Figure 7, including at the Hardinge Road
terms of peel angle and breaker height [4] is break, and against two independent wave events,
presented in Figure 6, with nine regions numbered using wave height as the calibration parameter.
from 1 to 9, with Region 1 representing waves Wave data was collected between March and
suitable for beginners, and Region 9 representing September 2016 using RBS Solo® Pressure
waves that can only be ridden by the top Transducers located in about 6m water depth and
professional surfers. A detailed description of the a Triaxys Waverider Buoy at the Channel
nine regions on the nomogram is provided in [4]. Approaches. The model was validated against
wave height, peak period and wave direction at the
inshore locations. The model results correlated
very well against the measured wave height and
peak period data at Hardinge Road and City Reef,
and wave direction at the Channel Approaches. An
example of the calibration for Hardinge Road is
shown in Figure 8.

RBS Solo® Triaxys Waverider

N
Triaxys Waverider

Figure 5: Classification of surfing skill based on peel RBS Solo®

angle and breaker height [9]. ®
RBS Solo

The characteristics of the Hardinge Road and City Figure 7: Location of wave gauge instruments in relation
Reef surf breaks have been studied using the to Napier Port [1]
results of wave transformation analysis as
described in Section 2.5. The breaking wave
height vs. peel angle have been plotted as a ten-
year time series at each of the discrete locations
along the ride path within the two surf breaks.

Figure 8: Model calibration results at Hardinge Road [1].

The range of offshore wave directions, periods and
significant wave heights run through the SWAN
spectral wave model correspond to the measured
wave parameters from the Triaxys buoy over the
ten-year period from 2004 to 2014, and are shown
in Table 1. The combination of wave period,
Figure 6: Nomogram describing surfing skill in terms of direction and offshore wave height represents 280
peel angle and breaker height [4] discrete scenarios run through the model and
transformed to equivalent inshore wave heights,
directions and periods at the two surf breaks. The
2.5 Spectral Wave Modelling
280 scenarios were used to develop a look-up
Conditions at the two surf breaks were analysed in
table of transformed spectral wave model results
detail using a calibrated and validated SWAN
over the entire model domain, under existing and
spectral wave model. This model was used to
proposed (post-dredged) conditions. The spectral
derive a series of transformed wave conditions at
wave model results were used to derive a local
Hardinge Road and City Reef. Offshore wave
time series of wave height, period and direction at
conditions corresponding to the range of measured
the surf breaks by looking up the wave
wave heights, periods and directions from an
transformation results at that location which
offshore Triaxys Buoy over a 10-year period of
resulted from the measured wave parameters at
record were transformed to each of the two surf
the offshore Triaxys buoy. Accordingly, the
breaks.
transformed local wave parameter time-series at
30 minute intervals for the full 10 year offshore
Calibration of the wave model was undertaken
data set was able to be derived at discrete
using data collected at three inshore locations
Australasian Coasts & Ports 2019 Conference – Hobart, 10-13 September 2019
Napier Port Proposed Wharf and Dredging Project: Assessing Potential Changes to Surfing Amenity
Chris Adamantidis, Benjamin Williams, Martin Single, Michel DeVos, Sylvia Allan

locations in the model domain, corresponding to induced wave shoaling affects the largest waves in
particular locations within the two surf breaks. The a wave group to a greater extent than smaller
discrete locations at which 10-year wave time- waves, gains in Hmax at City Reef are larger than
series were derived included: those expected for Hm0. For the storm wave
considered, Hmax is predicted to increase by about
• Hardinge Road surf break, 2m, 1m isobaths. 0.4m at City Reef and decrease by about 0.4m at
• City Reef take-off point, 2m isobath. Hardinge Road. West of the existing surf break at
• City Reef right-hand, 1m isobath. Hardinge Road, Hmax is predicted to remain
• City Reef inner right-hand, 1m, 0.5m isobath. unchanged.
• City Reef left-hand, 1m and 0.5m isobath.
2.6.2 Results – Wave Crest Patterns
For the storm conditions considered, wave crests
Table 1: Range of wave directions, periods and were broadly predicted to remain unchanged at
significant wave heights run through SWAN model both the Hardinge Road and City Reef surf breaks.
Offshore Mean Offshore peak Offshore Swell crests will remain long and clean with good
Wave Direction wave period (s) Significant wave quality right-hand surf.
(°) height (m)
30, 60, 90, 120, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5,
150 14, 16 3, 3.5, 4

2.6 Initial Comparative Assessment

A detailed Boussinesq model for both the pre-
channel dredging and post-channel dredging
conditions was developed as a separate exercise,
using pre and post-channel dredging bathymetry.
A discrete storm event measured in July 2016 was
chosen for this modelling, to allow a pre and post-
dredging comparative assessment of the inshore
wave characteristics of wave height and wave
crest patterns. This storm was selected due to the
relatively large offshore wave height and was
widely observed to result in good surfing conditions
along the surf breaks at Napier. The wave
conditions measured at the Triaxys Waverider
buoy offshore of the port were Hm0 = 3.0m, Tp =
11s and MWD = 90°. Simulations were conducted Figure 9: Top - Changes in significant wave height for
assuming a tidal plane of 0m C.D. (i.e. easterly storm occurring at Low Water. Offshore wave
approximately MLWS), representing the situation height 3.0m, Wave Period 11.0s, incidence angle 90°
where refraction will be strongest. Simulations (due East). Bottom: Wave crest patterns for ‘dredge
channel’ bathymetry, same event. Circles show locations
considered refraction, diffraction, nonlinear wave- of surf breaks at Hardinge Road and City Reef [1].
wave interaction, wave asymmetry and skewness,
and depth-induced wave breaking. The results are
shown in Figure 9. 3. Detailed Surfing Amenity Assessment
The simple comparative assessment of pre and
2.6.1 Results – Wave Height post-dredging bathymetry using the Boussinesq
Figure 9 shows the surf break at Hardinge Road simulation provides an indication of the expected
from East of the groyne to the West of the groyne. changes in conditions over the course of a discrete
Minimal change is predicted to the significant wave storm event that was known to result in favourable
height at the City Reef surf break. For an offshore surfing conditions. To enable a statistical
wave of Hm0 = 3m approaching from the East, the comparison of the expected changes to surfing
inshore wave was predicted to increase by 0.1m. amenity at the subject breaks to be analysed, the
long-term (ten-year) wave record derived from the
The maximum wave height (Hmax) is the maximum transformed Triaxys wave buoy at the surf breaks
wave height measured at a location over a defined was examined to determine:
period. In the relatively shallow water depths at the
surf breaks, Hmax provides an approximation of the • The proportion of time the breaking waves at
breaking wave height during the peak of the storm the breaks are surfable, and the level of skill
event. Simulated changes to Hmax are similar to required to surf the breaks
those for the significant wave height; the maximum • Whether the proportion of time that the breaks
wave height is predicted to reduce at Hardinge are surfable would be expected to change due
Road and increase at City Reef. Because depth- to the channel dredging
Australasian Coasts & Ports 2019 Conference – Hobart, 10-13 September 2019
Napier Port Proposed Wharf and Dredging Project: Assessing Potential Changes to Surfing Amenity
Chris Adamantidis, Benjamin Williams, Martin Single, Michel DeVos, Sylvia Allan

• Whether the surfing skill required and hence, It can be seen from the results shown in Figure 10
the overall surfing amenity, would be expected that there is predicted to be very little change to
to change due to the channel dredging. the wave height or peel angle at City Reef and
consequently very little change to the surfing
The characteristics of each of the two surf breaks amenity following dredging.
have been studied using the results of the wave
transformation analysis covering the entire length
of wave record at the offshore Triaxys buoy and
plotting the wave height vs. peel angle at each of
the discrete locations along the ride path within the
two surf breaks.

3.1 City Reef – Surfing Amenity

The full transformed wave time-series (between
2004 and 2014) at the City Reef take-off location,
left-hand break and right-hand break were
analysed to obtain statistics of wave conditions
and breaker type, to ascertain the percentage of
time that waves would be considered “surfable”,
both under existing conditions and post-dredging
conditions. Waves were considered “surfable” if
they met the following criteria:

• Wave period > 6 s

• Hm0 > 0.3 m (the lower limit for surfable waves
as per [4]).

In addition, the wave steepness (Iribarren number)

under existing and post-dredging conditions was Figure 10: Surfing Amenity analysis using Hutt et al. [4],
calculated for the entire time-series, to ascertain Top: City Reef take-off location. Bottom: Hardinge Road,
whether the character of the breakers (spilling or -2 m contour. Purple = existing, Blue = post-dredging.
plunging) would change due to the proposed
3.2 Hardinge Road – Surfing Amenity
dredging. The results of this analysis are provided
The change in the breaker type due to the
in Table 2. Of the waves that met the surfability
dredging was assessed, with the results presented
criteria, the ratio between spilling and plunging
in Table 2. There is very little change in the
breaker types was not expected to change
breaker type due to the proposed dredging, with a
significantly due to the dredging.
similar proportion of waves that are plunging
breakers compared with spilling breakers under
Changes to surfing amenity at the take-off location,
existing and post-dredging conditions.
left-hand break and right-hand break were
considered also using the nomograms of Walker
Figure 10 illustrates the surfing amenity
and Hutt et al. [9, 4]. These changes are illustrated
classification for the Hardinge Road surf break
in Figure 10 for the City Reef take-off location. It
according to the method of Hutt et al. [4]. The peel
was found that:
angle was between 30° and 50° and the maximum
breaking wave height was around 1 – 1.5 m
• Peel angles at the take-off site were between (depending on the local depth), indicating that this
50° and 70° and those conditions generally suit break could be suitable for somewhat more
beginners or intermediate surfers. advanced and intermediate surfers than the break
• At the right-hand “inner” break, peel angle is at City Reef. Figure 10 shows that the peel angle
between 60° and 75° and the maximum would increase slightly following the dredging,
breaking wave height was around 1 – 1.5 m, consistent with a predicted 2° clockwise rotation of
indicating that this break is suitable for the mean approach wave angle at Hardinge Road.
beginners. From these results, the surf amenity classification
• At the right-hand break, the peel angle is does not change noticeably due to the proposed
between 50° and 70° and the maximum dredging for the Hardinge Road break. There is a
breaking wave height was around 1 – 1.5m, greater proportion of waves at the break following
indicating that the right-hand surf break is the proposed dredging which plot within the areas
suitable for beginners and occasionally may be on the Hutt et al. [4] and Walker [9] nomograms
suitable for intermediate skilled surfers. indicating that the waves are suitable for surfing.
This indicates a predicted slight improvement in
surfing amenity at the break.
Australasian Coasts & Ports 2019 Conference – Hobart, 10-13 September 2019
Napier Port Proposed Wharf and Dredging Project: Assessing Potential Changes to Surfing Amenity
Chris Adamantidis, Benjamin Williams, Martin Single, Michel DeVos, Sylvia Allan

measurements and bathymetry are available.

Examples of potential future applications include:
Table 2: Existing and post-dredging breaker types, City
Reef and Harding Road
• following beach nourishment projects near a
Location Pre-dredging Post-dredging surf break
City Reef Take- 84% “Spilling”, 83% “Spilling”, • impact on surf breaks due to sea level rise
off location 16% “Plunging” 17% “Plunging” • impact on surf breaks caused by changes in
City Reef right (- 88% “Spilling”, 86% “Spilling”, offshore wave climate due to climate change
1m contour) 12% “Plunging” 14% “Plunging” • construction of coastal structures in areas of
City Reef left (-1 90% “Spilling”, 89% “Spilling”,
high longshore sediment transport.
m contour) 10% “Plunging” 11% “Plunging”
This assessment has been undertaken using a
Hardinge Road (- 79% “Spilling”, 77% “Spilling”,
spectral wave model which is adequate for
2 m contour) 21% “Plunging” 23% “Plunging”
assessing the peel angle, breaker height and
Hardinge Road (- 76% “Spilling”, 76% “Spilling”, breaker type and therefore adequate for assessing
1 m contour) 24% “Plunging” 24% “Plunging” surf amenity. However, a phase-resolving model
can provide more detail on aspects such as wave
3.3 Summary crest patterns and can provide a useful
The effect of the proposed dredging on surfing visualisation tool. A morphological model could be
amenity near Napier Port has been assessed in used to assess sediment transport for the
terms of peel angle, wave height and wave breaker purposes of predicting how the beach morphology
type in accordance with the methods described in might change, and this could be coupled to the
[7] and [5]. The two surf breaks analysed in detail wave model to assess ongoing changes in the
include City Reef (including left-hand and right- characteristics of a surf break. Other future
hand surfing paths, and “inner” break) and developments could include applying the method
Hardinge Road. At City Reef, it was found that to determine a real-time surf amenity forecast at a
there would be little change in peel angle and only break based on offshore buoy data.
a small increase in the proportion of plunging
breakers when compared with spilling breakers 5. References
due to the proposed dredging. At Hardinge Road, [1] Advisian (2017). Napier Port Proposed Wharf and
there would be a small increase in the peel angle, Dredging Project Coastal Process Studies, Report no.
caused by a clockwise rotation in the approach 301015-03651-Rep_CS-002, June 2017
direction of the waves. Overall, it was found that [2] CERC (1984), Shore Protection Manual
there would be a slightly higher proportion of
waves being assessed as surfable at Hardinge [3] Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (2014). Hawke Bay –
New Zealand Global Climate Change and Barrier Beach
Road following the dredging, due to the predicted
Responses. HBRC Report No. AM 14-02, March 2014.
increase in peel angle. There would be no
significant change to surfing amenity at City Reef. [4] Hutt, J.A.; Black, K.P., and Mead, S.T., (2001).
Classification of surf breaks in relation to surfing skill.
4. Discussion and Conclusion Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 29, pp.
66–81.
This paper demonstrates the successful
application of a method to assess surfing amenity [5] Lewis, J., S. Hunt, T. Evans (2015). Quantification of
at two locally significant surfing breaks at Napier, Surfing Amenity for Beach Value and Management.
New Zealand. The method has been applied to Proceedings NSW Coastal Conference, 2015.
assess predicted future changes in surfing [6] Mead, S., Black, K., McComb, P. (2001). Westshore
conditions based on predicted local bathymetric Coastal Process Investigation: A study to Determine the
changes resulting from proposed capital dredging. Coastal Processes in the Bay at Westshore and Provide
a Long-Term Solution to Erosion Problems. ASR Ltd,
The method was developed in response to 2001.
concerns raised about the potential for impacts on [7] Mead, S. (2003) Keynote address: Surfing Science,
surfing, during the Port of Napier’s wharf and Proceedings of the 3rd International Surfing Reef
dredging project public consultation. Using the Symposium, Raglan, New Zealand, June 22-25, 2003.
method, Napier Port was able to demonstrate as p1-36
part of the Resource Consent studies that the [8] MetOcean Solutions (2009). Technical Note P0010-
dredging project would avoid adverse impacts on 03, Wave Reflections from the proposed breakwater,
surfing amenity, allaying the concerns of the 21/07/09
surfing community.
[9] Walker, J.R., (1974). Recreational Surfing
Parameters. Honolulu, Hawaii: University of Hawaii,
The method can be used to assess surfing amenity Department of Ocean Engineering, LOOK Laboratory
at any surf break where sufficiently detailed wave Technical Report 30, 311p.