A Visit to Scotland’s Lost Shore Surf Resort
Our journey recently took us north, to Scotland’s dramatic coastline just outside Edinburgh, where Lost Shore Surf Resort has been making waves of its own. This visit was more than just curiosity—we wanted to experience the lagoon firsthand, as its dimensions are the same as the one we’re planning for Bangkok.
We first met Andy Hadden, Founder and Managing Director of Lost Shore, at the Surf Park Summit in California last year. His energy and commitment to the project stayed with us, so when the opportunity came to see his surf park in action, it felt like a natural step in our journey.
True to Scotland’s character, we were greeted with what the locals cheerfully called “lovely summer weather”—a brisk 14°C with a touch of drizzle. Once in wetsuits and on the water, though, the 19°C lagoon felt surprisingly comfortable. Any hesitation quickly gave way to stoke as we joined a lineup full of friendly, talkative surfers—a stark contrast to the sometimes territorial feel of natural surf breaks. One surfer even shared that he’d driven three hours from England just to surf two sessions that day, proof of the pull an artificial wave can have.
After the surf, we warmed up over an excellent meal at the on-site restaurant, where Andy joined us and kindly offered a behind-the-scenes tour. Walking the facility while the Wavegarden technology was running gave us a glimpse into the precision and effort behind producing such perfect, consistent waves.
Seven months into operations, Andy’s pride was clear. Attendance is strong, and more importantly, a true surf community has formed around the lagoon. Local surfers now treat the park as their regular break, creating an authentic surf culture that grows naturally with each session.
The journey to build Lost Shore wasn’t without its hurdles, but Andy’s determination has turned it into more than just a surf park—it’s a destination. A place where locals and visitors alike come together, not only to ride waves but to share in the energy, community, and joy that surfing creates.
For us, it was inspiring to see what’s possible. Standing there in Scotland, watching waves roll through the lagoon, we couldn’t help but imagine the day when we’ll welcome a community like this in Bangkok.
Jean-Marc and Tuk, the founders, at Surf Park Summit 2024, where we first connected with Andy and many inspiring peers from the surf park industry.
The entrance leading to the wave lagoon with the reception on the left and the canteen on the right. The day started off cloudy but luckily, it cleared up and we had blue sky.
Jean-Marc testing the waves.
