Oz soap star to launch first indoor beach

G’day mate.

Summer Bay is coming to the country’s first indoor beach which will be opened in a Cork shopping centre at the end of the month.

Home and Away hunk Dan Ewing, who plays Heath Braxton in the soap, will get a taste of the indoor beach when he visits Mahon Point on Jul 9.

The venture is a serious step-up in temperature from the people who normally organise Cork on Ice.

The Cork version of Summer Bay will feature sand, coconut trees, water zorbing, and ‘bungee’ trampolines, so if the weather doesn’t improve it’s as good as going to Garryvoe, Myrtleville, or Barleycove.

Orla Cremin, director of Cool Running Events, which runs the Summer Bay arena, said it will use 100 tonnes of sand to create beaches and full-size outdoor beach volleyball and soccer pitches.

Could this be you? Open interviews for summer positions TODAY at silversprings from 11am check our FB for details.... pic.twitter.com/hHB5UeYzAO

— Summerbaycork (@summerbaycork) May 30, 2013

Ms Cremin said the poor summer weather in recent years was one of the factors behind the company’s decision to put on the event from Jun 28-Sept 1.

“The indoor beach area will be within a 30m x 50m marquee which will be situated at the shopping centre’s overflow car park. It will include ponds for water zorbing. There will also be climbing frames and zip wire inside,” Ms Cremin said.

Summer Bay has secured Ewing’s only Cork appearance during his nationwide tour. Fans will be able to meet him at a beach party planned for 2pm on Jul 9, providing they pre-register on summerbay.ie on Jul 1.

In the soap he’s currently planning his wedding to Bianca. Off-screen, however, Ewing recently married his long-term girlfriend Marni Little.

The event managers will also be organising summer camps at the venue.

Ms Cremin said some events are free, while there will be charges for others, The venue can hold up to 250 people at a time.

“We’re hoping it will cater for all age groups from young families up to people in their 20s,” she said.

More details are available at summerbay.ie or on Twitter @summerbaycork