The present invention involves an apparatus, namely a reef, used to transform ocean wave energy into preferred surfing waves. The reef is comprised of a hull having a substantially flat top surface with a vertically convex shape that preferably creates about a seventy degree tangential bow angle with the ocean surface. The bottom portion is tri-hull shaped and includes two side hulls and a center hull. The preferred embodiment is connected to a master vessel by control arms. The control arms can control the depth of the reef in water, thus controlling the wave characteristics. The control arms can also provide a ducting means for ballast pumps on the master vessel. In an alternative embodiment, the reef can be self-supporting in water. A single reef or a multiple reef configuration can be placed near shore to help prevent beach erosion by wave action, and or cause beach sand to accumulate. Several reefs can be connected for longer-lasting waves.