Atlantic Park Surf on Saturday launched its season-long Next Wave program, which provides free swim and surf lessons for Virginia Beach youth at its surf lagoon in partnership with Adidas and VIRGINIA, a creative brand and community platform founded by Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams.
More than 100 participants ages 8 to 18 from Virginia Beach Public Schools, YELLOWHAB and Atlantis Apartments took part in the opening day. Programming included swim lessons led by Shaun Anderson of Norfolk State University and USA Swimming, and surf lessons led by Jason Borte of Atlantic Park Surf.
The swim instruction included land-based safety education and in-water lessons in the facility’s shallow wading pool. Surf instruction began with a 30-minute land session covering surfboard education, stance and paddling, followed by a 55-minute session on the lagoon’s Waikiki wave.
“Our team and our partners are committed to leveraging the water as a means to improve health and well-being, promote connection and community and build confident and resilient leaders,” said Nate Stevens, general manager of Atlantic Park Surf. “Besides, there’s nothing more fun than riding waves with friends and the feeling of being part of a larger community, and we believe in providing Virginia Beach youth with equitable access to those opportunities.”
Atlantic Park Surf announced the Next Wave program in October 2025 with more than 100 participants and guest instructors from Ebony Beach Club of Los Angeles during a series of VIRGINIA-led events. The program later received Surf Park Central’s Progression in Democratization & Accessibility Award at the 2025 Surf Park Summit.
The program will operate weekly through mid-October and is open to beginner-level swimmers and surfers from Virginia Beach Public Schools, YELLOWHAB and Atlantis Apartments. Participants receive life jackets, soft-top surfboards, wetsuits, sunblock and snacks during the program.
