SCOTLAND’S first surf centre, which will open its doors next month, has been labelled “a game-changer”.

The £275,000 surf hub on Belhaven’s Shore Road will be used by a number of community groups and further strengthens the area’s reputation as a surfing destination.

Construction work got under way in February, with an official opening pencilled in for September 13.

Alasdair Swan, finance director for Belhaven Surf Centre, which is now a registered charity, said: “The purpose of the surf centre is to provide a community building, primarily for the various surfing organisations and charities that we have in Dunbar but also for any other group that would like to use it.

“As a community building, we are having lots of demand from people looking to use it for yoga classes and educational classes in the environment.”

The building will be used by Coast to Coast Surf School, Surfers Against Sewage, Dunbar Surf Life Saving Club and a number of other groups, including East Lothian Council’s countryside rangers.

Mr Swan, who was hopeful the building would prove a great asset to the community, outlined the layout of the facility.

He said: “There are some offices, there is a meeting room that people can hire out if they want to use it. It has splendid views over Belhaven Bay and there is an education room fully equipped with audio visual stuff.

“We might find we are having film evenings and things but primarily it is for education in the areas of the rangers, surfers and life savers.”

The building also features a storage room and showers.

Funding for the scheme, which was given approval just over a year ago by East Lothian Council, came from LEADER, FCC Communities Fund, East Lothian Council, Dunbar and East Linton Area Partnership, BeGreen, Cockburnspath Community Council and the Jigsaw Foundation. Further funding came through a successful crowdfunding appeal, as well as private loans.

Plans for a surfing competition later this autumn are also being drawn up.

Sam Christopherson, from the surf school, was looking forward to the building officially opening.

He told the Courier: “It is huge, it is a proper game-changer for surfing in this area. To have a place that has got heated changing rooms, hot showers and places where you can do decent education inside is phenomenal.

“Belhaven Bay is an ideal place for beginners to learn to surf. It is a great place for kids and families and anyone that wants to have fun in the water and start in a very gentle way and then progress.

“Our area is definitely getting more popular for surfing.”