How much is a wave worth? It’s a question gaining global attention as surfing evolves into a booming commercial industry.

Locals on the southern coast of Western Australia believe they may have found a solution: an artificial reef they hope will revolutionize the town’s surfing landscape. Wave riders are taking full advantage of the ideal conditions at Middleton Beach in Albany. But things weren’t always like this.

Longtime surfer Peter Bolt, who was raised in Albany, has strolled this stretch more times than he can count to check the waves. For much of that time, he saw little more than unrideable close-outs at Middleton Beach. So, over the last three decades, he’s been at the forefront of efforts to change that.

“I think I came back to Albany in 1990. We just felt that’s where we needed the juniors to have something decent to surf at, you know, in town where they can get access to it,” says Bolt.

With financial backing from the City of Albany, along with support from both state and federal governments, expert marine engineers have successfully crafted an ideal surfing wave. The 13 million Australian dollar ($9 million) initiative saw 70,000 tons of rock strategically placed on the ocean floor. Yet, there were moments when Peter Bolt doubted it would ever become a reality.

Despite strong support from its advocates, the Albany surf reef has faced criticism from some who argue it’s a poor use of funds and worry it could harm the beach environment.

For now, though, surfers remain unfazed, saying the beach is in good shape and the investment has been worthwhile. “Well, I’m a surfer. I like a good wave. Don’t really care how much money was spent,” says a surfer who just came out of the water.

And Bolt agrees. “When I see the kids come down here before school, in the dark, to get a wave before they go to school, and then they zip down here again after school, I go, yeah, that’s it. That’s what this was all about.”

This article was provided by The Associated Press.