An artificial surf reef, which has been created 225m (738ft) off the coast at Boscombe, near Bournemouth, Dorset, has finally opened following a series of delays.

Construction of the new reef, which is the first of its kind to be built in the northern hemisphere, was hampered by poor weather conditions during the 2008-09 winter months. However, Bournemouth Borough Council (BBC) has confirmed the reef is now ready to use after work on the structure was completed by New Zealand-based marine consultant, ASR.

Surfers will now be able to use the reef after the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has completed its training, while Plymouth University will monitor the reef's performance over the forthcoming year. Bournemouth Tourism's marketing and events manager, Jon Weaver, said: "Almost no sooner than the RNLI have completed their training, the final stage we had to go through before we could launch, the swell is perfect - decent waves, around eight seconds apart with a gentle breeze.

"It is important to remember that the reef is not a wave machine - it works to enhance the conditions that occur naturally and so, when there is no swell elsewhere, there won't be swell on the reef either." Designed to increase the number of surfing days at Boscombe, the reef will provide grade-5 waves on a day with good swell. On calmer days, a lagoon will be created along the shoreline to ensure safe, flat conditions for beach users.