In the realm of wave pool development, a recurring theme has been the challenge of opening these ambitious projects on schedule. This observation, despite potentially ruffling feathers among our commercial partners, is an acknowledgment of the complexities involved in bringing such innovative ventures to fruition.

To put this into perspective, consider the tech industry, renowned for its precision and efficiency. It’s hard to imagine a company like Apple announcing a new iPhone with a vague release date like “uh, well, maybe sometime in Summer.” However, even in the tech world, delays can occur, as illustrated by Apple’s fumbled launch of the iPhone 15. It happens. It’s OK.

The core message here is about setting realistic expectations. The surf park industry, much like any other pioneering field, is navigating uncharted waters more complex than a smartphone. These projects are not just ambitious in concept but also their execution, and often they are the first of their kind. The challenges faced can range from environmental factors to logistical issues to supply chain disruptions, bureaucratic hurdles, and even unforeseen complications related to a brand-new technology. Given these multifaceted challenges, it’s perhaps reasonable to extend some leniency toward the timelines of these groundbreaking projects.

With this understanding in mind, we celebrate the wave pool class of 2024 – many of which you will be surfing this year. We eagerly anticipate the new experiences they will bring to surfers and communities around the world… even if they do launch a little bit late.

USA

Atlantic Park – Virginia Beach

The $325 million Atlantic Park in Virginia Beach is set to open its doors in the last quarter of 2024. Central to this multi-use development is a Wavegarden Cove surf pool, which may begin operations as early as the third quarter of 2024, ahead of the full project completion. The development, backed by musician Pharrell Williams, will transform three city blocks with retail, restaurants, offices, apartments, and a performance venue.

Construction Begins – Spring of 2023
Making Waves – Q3 2024
Doors Open – Q4 2024

Crest Surf Clubs – New York

Crest Surf Clubs is set to open its first location in Mastic-Shirley, New York, in 2024. Less than an hour from Manhattan, this surf club will feature a 55,000-square-foot surf pool and a range of amenities, including year-round training for surfers of all levels. The tech is from new-kids-on-the-block Premier Surf Systems. According to their website, “Premier applies a unique design and operational technique to widely-proven wave technology, allowing for larger waves with longer ride lengths in significantly smaller footprints.” Crest says the pool will pump out 180 waves per hour and offer 85-yard rides for 10-20 surfers at a time.

Construction – Underway
Making Waves – Summer/Autumn 2024
Doors Open – Autumn 2024

Ka’ana Wave Co

Ka’ana has announced plans to open its inaugural corporately-owned surf park, the Reef Club, in Bridal Falls, BC. The company said the facility is aimed at fostering community, inclusion, and sport participation, and will cater to a diverse range of ages, skills, and abilities. Situated an hour east of Vancouver and 20 minutes from Ka’ana’s manufacturing plant, the Reef Club is intended as both a pilot venue and a sports training facility. Its objectives include refining the business model for the Reef Club, providing a venue for hosting Ka’ana clients, and producing marketing content for the CM7-Series. The construction timeline is set to commence shortly.

Construction Begins – Q3 2024
Making Waves – Q4 2024

Palm Springs Surf Club – California

The Palm Springs Surf Club in California, overhauling the old Wet’n’Wild water park, is projected to open up again in Spring 2024. The club launched then abruptly shut down due to technical issues. What those issues are is anyone’s guess. The PSSC website says “February and the rest of 2024 availabilities opening soon.” However, online bookings are unavailable at the time of this writing. We are hoping that PSSC will be back up and running soon, providing a unique surfing experience in the heart of the Coachella Valley.

Construction – Complete
Making Waves – Again soon
Doors Open – Spring 2024

Fireside Surf – Texas

Fireside Surf will open to the public in Spring 2024. This rapid wave is located just north of the bustling expanse that is the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas. Fireside Surf has designed their venue around a 35-foot-wide deepwater standing wave with attention paid to surrounding F&B. The restaurant provides a variety of cuisines including American, Mediterranean, Asian, Fusion, and Australian, serving meals across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night alongside drinks. Amenities include outdoor seating, available parking, television, and a full bar with wine and beer options.

Construction – Complete
Making Waves – Now
Doors Open – Spring 2024

Revel Surf at Canon Beach – Arizona

Swell MFG powered lefts, rights, and A-Frames and endorsed by Shane Beschen. The crew pumped out footage of their small test tank last year. The wave pool will sit within the 37-acre Canon Beach development surrounded by retail rows, restaurants, a hotel, commercial office space, and more. Last report said they hope to open in the Spring/Summer of 2024.

Construction – Ongoing
Making Waves – Already did, more to come.
Doors Open – Summer 2024

MIDDLE EAST

Qiddiya – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Riyadh’s Qiddiya gigaproject, due to open in October 2024, will feature an Endless Surf wave pool within a sprawling $750 million water park. Set amidst a backdrop of dramatic rock facades and cement animals, Qiddiya will offer a unique surfing experience as part of its nine entertainment zones. The heart of the attraction will be an Endless Surf wave pool.

Construction – Ongoing
Making Waves – Soon
Doors Open – Summer 2024

Kelly Slater Wave Pool – Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi’s Hudayriyat Island is home to the Kelly Slater Wave Pool, part of a mega development hosting the world’s most famous surfer’s technology. The wave debuted to a curious world late in 2023. The development aims to be a major sporting and leisure attraction, contributing to the local and regional surfing community.

Construction – Completed
Making Waves – Yes
Doors Open – Spring/Summer 2024

AUSTRALIA

URBNSURF – Sydney

URBNSURF Sydney, the first commercial wave pool in New South Wales and the second in Australia, is slated to open in Southern Hemisphere Autumn 2024. The park will host a variety of amenities, including a Surf Academy, leisure pools, a playground, and a high-performance center. The facility aims to provide waves for more than 1000 people daily. Given the company’s success with the wave menu in Melbourne, it’ll be interesting to see where URBNSURF Sydney fine-tunes amenities for clients.

Construction – Ongoing
Making Waves – Soon
Doors Open – April 2024

EUROPE

O2 SurfTown MUC – Munich

O2 SurfTown MUC, located near Munich airport, is anticipated to open in early summer 2024. It will showcase an Endless Surf ES34 system and be part of a larger “Hybrid One” project that includes office, dining, and retail spaces. The surf park will also feature an outdoor fitness area, a children’s playground, and a contemporary restaurant concept.

Construction – Ongoing
Making Waves – Soon
Doors Open – Summer 2024

Lost Shore Surf Resort – Scotland

The Lost Shore Surf Resort near Edinburgh is expected to open in Autumn 2024. This £55m development will include a surf park, waterside accommodations, and a hub with dining, retail, and wellness facilities, and is expected to attract over 180,000 visitors annually.

Construction – Ongoing
Making Waves – Soon
Doors Open – September 2024

Surf Poel – The Hague

Surf Poel, Europe’s first commercial indoor surfing wave pool in The Hague (and Europe), is expected to open in 2024. The facility has been progressing, with recent updates showing the completion of the wave basin and water treatment systems and the launch of their first test waves.

Construction – Completed
Making Waves – Now
Doors Open – Summer 2024

RiF010 – Rotterdam

RiF010 in Rotterdam is set to become the Netherlands’s first wave pool and the world’s first urban tank, opening in 2024. The wave will be a 1.5-meter right-hander utilizing Surf Loch’s pneumatic technology, designed to mimic natural ocean waves. The exciting thing about this project is that it will be located in the center of town.

Construction – Ongoing
Making Waves – Soon
Doors Open – Summer 2024

*AllWaves – Belgium

AllWaves has announced their demo facility is producing surfable waves in Knokke-Heist and will gradually welcome groups of potential B2B buyers for visits. In communication with WavePoolMag, AllWaves shared images of surfers at the facility, highlighting their use of “proprietary pillow technology” aimed at replicating ocean wave movements. The technology is touted as safe, energy-efficient, and customizable through a special wave menu. Although pricing details were not disclosed, AllWaves claims their technology offers a more cost-effective solution compared to other market options.

Construction – Complete
Making Waves – Now
Doors Open – Spring 2024 but limited to buyers only.

SOUTH AMERICA

São Paulo Surf Club – Brazil

The São Paulo Surf Club will use pneumatic tech to produce waves similar in scope to those at Boa Vista. The club offers memberships that encompass sports and leisure activities, with two available options: Individual, which is exclusive to the Main Member, and Family Memberships which cover the Main Member, their spouse, and up to three dependents aged 35 or under. Membership approval is subject to a comprehensive analysis process.

Construction – Almost complete
Making Waves – Soon
Doors Open – Undisclosed season in 2024

Surfland Brasil – Brazil

Surfland Brasil in Garopaba soft-opened on November 17, 2023. The complex is now fully open and offering timeshares as well as public sessions. Surrounding the wave pool is a range of facilities, including a skatepark, restaurants, and a surf museum.

Construction – Complete
Making Waves – Now
Doors Open – Now

Surf Center – Brazil

Surf Center in Curitiba, Brazil, is in the works with its wave pool set to launch in the second half of 2024. It will be South America’s first indoor and heated wave pool, featuring a mystery Brazilian-made wave technology. The biz model appears to be that of a fitness gym with surfing at the center.

Construction – Ongoing
Making Waves – Soon
Doors Open – Autumn 2024