Myrtle Beach project picks new location
The Surfworks development in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has decided to move to a new location a seven minute drive northeast of the original location. Broadway at the Beach, a popular family destination with themed restaurants, pee wee golf, rides and more will now host the wave pool and amenities including cabanas, retail spaces, and a 10,000-seat amphitheater.
The development will sit on 28 acres on the site of a former cinema which was damaged beyond repair during a hurricane eight years ago. At the new location, the surf park will sit next to Broadway at the Beach which is known for attractions like the Ripley’s Aquarium.
City officials have been working with SurfWorks investors for several years to bring a surfable wave pool to Myrtle Beach. Local news outlet News 13 reported that in 2022, the city council approved the sale of a 21.6-acre parcel to American Surf Parks LLC for $4.5 million, with a buyback option if the project fails.
According to previous articles in WavePoolMag, the Surfworks wave pool concept kicked off in 2016. Initial reports had the park opening in 2021 with the amphitheater accommodating 15,000 people.
At the time American Surf Parks LLC (the Surfworks parent company) said they would create 50 new jobs and produce nearly half a million dollars each year in tax revenue to the city. At that time the total cost of the project was estimated at $41Million.
It is not known why the company decided to change locations, but Surfworks website proudly claims “Coming to Broadway at the Beach.”
In 2020 we reported that the same consultation team that helped launch The Wave and Surf Snowdonia were also involved in helping the project.
“We were introduced to the team from Myrtle Beach because of our involvement in The Wave, from 2013 onwards, and Surf Snowdonia, 2012 onwards, in the UK. They (Surfworks Adventure Park) had seen the Wavegarden technology proposed for both of those and wanted to pursue something similar,” said Matt Hyslop, of Destination Consulting.
It is unkown if Destination Consulting is still working with Surfworks but at the time Hyslop said the business model was to offer great surf in an area with very marginal conditions. He added that much of America vacations in Myrtle Beach which will further help ensure a profitable surf park.
“This business model is centered around doing big volumes in the peak season, with a very quiet, and potentially closed, winter,” said Hyslop at the time. “The big market opportunity though is the huge seasonal tourist market. There’s a massive American market for summer holidays, and Myrtle Beach is a very popular destination for people who want to hit the beach, and enjoy surfing on the coast, or playing golf at one of the many courses.”
Related Coverage
