Abstract
Quiet bach at the beach? Gentle soothing waves breaking on the shore? Does the reality match the dream? What of the long straight ocean beach, with kilometres of endless waves; the ultimate "line source" perhaps? This paper endeavours to establish the Sound Power Level of New Brighton Beach in Christchurch. A relationship to distance is determined, and the effective screening from houses is examined. Most of all, an answer is sought to the question "Is living near the beach as quiet and peaceful as our dreams lead us to believe?".