The Wave House extreme sports and entertainment complex has opened in Durban, South Africa.

The complex is based around new artificial wave technology, and features a wave nearly 10ft tall. The site also has two smaller training waves and a 4,000sq ft skatepark designed by world champion skateboarder, Tony Hawk.

American company, Wave Loch Inc, designed the Wave House centrepiece, which uses eight submersible pumps to push one million litres of water into a sheet wave. Unlike a normal ocean wave, the water flows uphill at 50km an hour, and is especially designed for flowboarding - a combination of surfing, skateboarding, wakeboarding and snowboarding.

The complex also features an outdoor pavilion area for live entertainment including concerts, readings, stage acts, cultural and dance events plus two restaurants and a nightclub.

Wave House general manager, Bruce Litkie, said: 'This is a new era in ultimate sport spectacle and lifestyle entertainment which no-one has experienced before in the world, let alone this country.'

The Wave House is situated next to the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, which has 28 hectares of indoor and outdoor leisure facilities including an Imax theatre, 23-metre climbing wall and 4x4 racetrack.

Details: www.wavehouse.com