England’s first inland surfing lake opens near Bristol

A select group of surfers have become the first to ride the waves at South Gloucestershire’s new inland surfing lake - the first of its type to open anywhere in the country.

They were selected from more than 350 people who volunteered to test the attraction before it fully opens next month.

Pupils from St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School in Bristol were some of the lucky few chosen to give it a try, while professional surfers from Cornwall were also present.

The Wave is the brainchild of founder Nick Hounsfield, who has spent the past nine years working on the project.

Watch moment The Wave lake is filled with water for the first time:

• The Wave Bristol surfing lake starts filling with water

• Making 'The Wave' - £20m surfing project being built near Bristol

Among the first to catch a wave at the lake was 11-year-old Marshall Janson, from Perranporth, who lost his limbs to meningitis.

The Tottenham Hotspur fan described the waves as “powerful” while instructor Ben said he was “stoked”.

The Wave in numbers: