Deserts and wave pools have captured surfers’ imaginations ever since Rick Kane won that contest in Arizona and cashed in his prize, a ticket to the North Shore. To underscore our fascination, in 2019, there were five California developments in the works east of Los Angeles. Five. In Arizona, planned projects (four in total) appeared to form a box around the now-defunct Big Surf. Last year, Revel came to life in Mesa, east of downtown Phoenix, and now PHX Surf LLC is on a fast-track 40-minutes to the south in Maricopa.
The planned 40-acre surf resort announced it is scheduled to break ground in March 2026. The development will feature an ES48 surf lagoon powered by Endless Surf’s pneumatic wave technology (for comparison, Munich is an ES34) and will combine surf, wellness, and desert-inspired architecture.
This pool was originally slated to occupy more than 70 acres of vacant land at the southeast corner of State Route 238 and Loma Road in Maricopa and host two tanks. Now the project is planned for 13 acres.
Water use is a challenge in arid surf park locations, but developments are making strides through conservation efforts and responsible use. The much-hyped Coral Mountain project in La Quinta had its wave pool nixed only to move forward with a golf course that would, in the end, use more water.
This week AO (an architecture and design firm) released a 3D fly-through showing the new surf park project that will include a 137,000-square-foot surf lagoon, a hotel district with 100 3D-printed bungalows by Icon, and a resort center building. Plans also call for food and beverage venues facing the lagoon, a spa and wellness center, retail space, and a Surf Center and Academy with administrative offices, locker rooms, and meeting space. Phase two is expected to add an event venue, water park, pump track, and a 30-site RV area.
“From the moment we first envisioned PHX Surf rising from the desert, the spark has been about more than waves – it’s been about partnership. I’m grateful to stand alongside our incredible collaborators at AO, Pro Swell, Endless Surf, and the City of Maricopa, each of whom bring bold vision, unwavering dedication and true heart,” said Erin LaGrassa, CEO of PHX Surf.
The architects stated their goal is to balance high-end amenities with natural materials and a sense of effortless connection between wellness, sport, and a lifestyle inspired by the desert oasis surroundings.
“PHX Surf is so much more than a wave pool,” said Bruce Greenfield, Partner at AO. “It is a fully realized ecosystem where the surf experience becomes the central axis of hospitality, recreation and community. Our team is working on surf-resort destinations around the world, but PHX Surf stands apart because of the development team’s unique focus on health and wellness. That vision has elevated the project into something truly distinct and inspiring, a place where people can connect, recharge and experience the desert in an entirely new way.”
AO is the firm behind the design of the newly minted Atlantic Park Surf wave pool in Virginia Beach.
