Members of the public have been warned not to use a $6.56 million artificial surf reef built by a New Zealand company off Britain's coast at Boscombe in Dorset.
A recent six-month inspection found "substantial changes" to its shape, and the New Zealand company commissioned to build the reef, ASR Ltd, confirmed it had been damaged, the BBC reported.
One of 55 giant sand-filled bags that make up the reef's structure will be removed as soon as possible.
Bournemouth Borough Council has advised surfers not to use the reef while it undergoes repairs.
It was "erring on the side of caution", the council said.
The reef opened in November 2009 after lengthy delays and running over budget, as part of the regeneration of Boscombe seafront.
It was created to enhance waves using 55 giant sand-filled bags which are 225m out at sea.
It has been criticised for not working properly but many shopkeepers have argued it has added to the regeneration of the once-rundown area.
The council has withheld 150,000 pounds from ASR Ltd after a specialist report found the reef had not achieved all of its objectives.
It will pay 55,000 pounds when refinement work is finished and a further 95,000 pounds if the improvements are successful.
ASR Ltd has denied the reef failed and said it was only one of the criteria, the wave lengths, where it had not met the requirements.
The impact of the surf reef on the local economy is being assessed in a three-year study by Bournemouth University.
