This week supporters of the newly proposed Orange County wave pool planned to replace sections of an aging public golf course, got good news as the Newport Beach City Council voted unanimously to approve the Snug Harbor Surf Park.
Opposition came from golfers because the surf park will eliminate holes 1, 2, and 9, the driving range, restaurant, pro shop, and eliminate the bar. The remaining 15 golf holes will stay open and be connected by cart paths. John Wayne Airport Land Use Commission also came out against the project, citing safety concerns due to proximity to aircraft flight path.
Once funded, Snug Harbor Surf Park will span 15.38 acres, with a 7-acre Wavegarden Cove lagoon featuring two main surf breaks on the left and right sides of the pool and divided by a central pier. Developers say the facility can host up to 72 surfers, including the point area (advanced) and the whitewater bays.
Access to the surf park will be via the existing Irvine Avenue driveway, with a new secondary entrance planned along Mesa Drive. On-site amenities include outdoor seating, lounge areas, wave-viewing platforms, cabanas, three pools, and a spa. Additional features include surf retail, food and beverage services, locker rooms, and safety infrastructure such as lifeguard stations and towers. The main building will be 49,000 square feet, while a secondary 9,432-square-foot structure will house 20 bungalow-style athlete accommodations.
The project was consistent with the Parks and Recreation designation but required a General Plan Amendment to increase the development limit from 20,000 to 59,772 square feet. It also required a Conditional Use Permit to allow for a building taller than 18 feet and a Modification Permit for retaining walls exceeding 8 feet near Irvine Avenue and Mesa Drive.
Located between Laguna Beach to the south and Huntington Beach to the north, Newport Beach has a rich surf history going back to the likes of Duke Kahanamoku and Tom Blake on through the 1980s Echo Beach new wave era. One of the most expensive real estate areas in the U.S., the region offers powerful beach breaks in the right conditions.
