News, like Panda Express leftovers, has a short shelf life. In researching the top stories on WavePoolMag in 2025, we found that some of our most popular posts were short shelf life items, that is, news items announcing new projects. The Google algorithm loves anything “new” or “best of.” And while this is the sugar high side of surf park news, (issued via the same press release to several platforms), there is always much more history and backstory to each one of these shiny nuggets of SEO gold.
We believe you deserve better. Most notably, context within a story – what is the background of the development group? The technology? The location? The local surf culture, if any? So in this 2025 version of the year-in-review, we provided other resources to help you go deeper and discover more about the wave pool and surf park industry’s top stories. Oh, and beware of that box of Orange Chicken in the back of the fridge, pretty sure it’s off-gassing.
The Big, High-Up View
The artificial wave and surf park industry experienced measured growth in 2025, marked by new openings, expanded construction, and growing investor interest. As of December, there are 33 operational wave pools worldwide, with at least a dozen more under active construction. Leading technologies (including Wavegarden, Surf Loch, Citywave, and Endless Surf) continued to gain ground as commercial installations accelerated across five continents.
Adventure tourism is a major driver. A 2025 report estimates the sector will grow from $413.5 billion in 2024 to over $1.3 trillion by 2032, with surf parks increasingly playing a role in destination and resort planning. Surfing’s Olympic inclusion, combined with social media visibility, is drawing more first-timers and families into the sport.
Spotlight: New Pools, Recent Openings & Updated Project Timelines
Portugal, Surfers Cove
The €25 million Surfers Cove in Óbidos, Portugal progressed in 2025 with major site preparation and structural development underway. Located in one of Europe’s surf tourism corridors, the site will include a surf lagoon, sport facilities, co-working spaces, and on-site lodging. The Wavegarden-powered park is on track for a 2026 launch, with backers positioning the development as a hybrid between a performance surf center and a regional resort. The development will use a “sideless” Cove design, the first of its kind.
Brazil, Endless Surf’s ES66
In Brazil, Endless Surf announced that they have been chosen by the Terras de São José Group to power Praia do Terras, a new private beach and surf destination located one hour outside São Paulo. The project will feature an ES66, making it the largest Endless Surf lagoon in the world capable of delivering rides of nearly 40 seconds in length. It will feature 66 pneumatic wave-generating caissons, marking the most powerful installation in the brand’s pipeline.
Just down the road, Brasil Surf Clube began construction on their Região dos Lagos location approximately two and a half hours east of Rio de Janeiro; a 2026 opening is projected for the 48 caisson facility. This will bring the total to five Endless Surf projects to open next year: Brazil, Cabo San Lucas, Saudi Arabia, Florida, and one secret location.
The Point Surf Park, Florida
The Point Surf Park in Fellsmere, Florida, broke ground in 2025 and is planned to open in 2026 with an Endless Surf ES36 pneumatic wave system capable of 19‑second Single Peak rides and 11‑second Split Peak rides. The 10.5‑acre site near Sebastian Inlet will provide year‑round, reliable waves in a region with inconsistent natural surf. Developers say the lagoon’s heart‑shaped layout will support multiple surf zones so beginners and advanced surfers can session concurrently. Founders have described the project as community-focused and aimed at expanding access to consistent surf in the state.
DSRT Surf, Palm Desert, California
DSRT Surf, a mixed‑use resort in Palm Desert anchored by a Wavegarden Cove lagoon, announced that its public opening will happen early summer 2026. The wave pool is designed to accommodate around 70 surfers at once and deliver up to 1,200 sessions per day, according to developer materials. The broader development includes a 139‑room hotel, 57 luxury villas, a leisure pool, and sports facilities such as pickleball courts and golf access, all adjacent to Desert Willow Golf. Project planning emphasizes sustainability features, including drought‑tolerant landscaping to offset water use. Full session costs and specific amenity pricing have not been released publicly.
SURFLAND, China
Located in the town of Wanning on Hainan Island, the resort is the first PerfectSwell facility to operate in China. It was developed through a partnership between American Wave Machines and China Tourism Group, a state-owned enterprise based in Hong Kong. The first phase of the resort includes two hotels totaling 132 rooms, a wave pool, a skate park, retail spaces, and food and beverage outlets. A second phase will add more lodging and facilities. The resort is positioned to attract both domestic beginners and international visitors, according to the developers.
Tel Aviv & Atlantic Park
The SRF Wave Park in Tel Aviv opened in the spring, becoming one of the first major wave parks in the Middle East. It offers year-round surfing with a focus on community development and surf education.
São Paulo Surf Club
The São Paulo Surf Club launched in 2025 as the first artificial wave pool in São Paulo city, introducing urban surf access to Brazil’s largest metropolis. The facility features a 220‑meter artificial wave pool powered by PerfectSwell technology, producing long, rideable waves up to about 22 seconds in length, and offering both lefts and rights. Professional surfers were invited to test the pool ahead of its official debut. Membership at the club is premium, with family membership packages and club amenities including a lounge, restaurant and social spaces.
Atlantic Park, Virginia Beach
Atlantic Park’s Wavegarden Cove lagoon opened in summer 2025 as the first major Cove installation in the United States. Backed by musician Pharrell Williams, the $325 million mixed‑use development places a surf pool at the heart of a broader entertainment district. It’s a great location as Virginia Beach has a lengthy surf history anchored by legacy surf shops.
SurfCenter Indoor Wave Pool — São Paulo, Brazil
SurfCenter’s indoor wave system officially launched in 2025 at a gym/club facility in São Paulo. The Brazilian wave pool produces rights across a triangular pool and marks one of the Southern Hemisphere’s first heated indoor surf environments. The company announced plans to open several locations across Brazil.
Beyond The Club, São Paulo, Brazil
The central feature of Wavegarden Cove São Paulo is a 62-module 28,000-square-meter surf lagoon surrounded by a beach area. The Wave Menu at Beyond The Club offers more than 25 wave types, to help lure members from the nearby São Paulo Surf Club just down the road. Beyond surfing, the complex includes indoor and outdoor pools, a skatepark designed by professional skater Bob Burnquist, soccer fields, and multisport simulators. Additional amenities include a surf academy, gym, spa, retail store, and wellness facilities. Hospitality offerings comprise a 78-room hotel, nine restaurants, a jazz bar, wine cellar, and a nightclub. According to the club, membership costs about $140,000 USD.
Operations & Field Reporting
WavePoolMag’s travel coverage and field tests provided operators with real-world feedback on pricing, wave quality, and customer flow. Guides to O₂ SURFTOWN MUC, The Wave Bristol, and URBNSURF locations served as an industry litmus test. Where does your surf park stand?
Pricing & Seasonal Access
A 2025 pricing report published by WavePoolMag documented session costs across 25+ global wave pools. Prices ranged from $20 to $950 USD depending on location, session length, and exclusivity. The average cost for a standard surf session globally was $129.
High-end pricing was led by Surf Abu Dhabi, where custom wave sessions and full-lagoon rentals cater to VIP clientele. Meanwhile, budget access and discounts were offered at smaller or municipally funded parks in Europe and South America.
Off-season promotions and holiday events emerged as key tools to fill shoulder months. November promotions at The Wave, URBNSURF, and Palm Springs Surf Club offered free demo days, extended hours, and cross-promotions with surfboard brands.
Technology, Design & Operations
Wave Design & Flexibility
2025 saw continued innovation in wave system design. New systems were introduced, enabling tighter control of wave profiles and improved segmentation of beginner, intermediate, and expert zones. Surf Loch, Endless Surf and Wavegarden announced subtle tweaks to help reduce downtime and customize the overall experience.
Endless Surf’s announced a 66-caisson project for São Paulo Brazil, which puts it in the same league as the Kelly Slater Wave Company with 40-second rides possible. Wavegarden announced the removal of “sidewalls” for their Portugal project, but didn’t provide renders to prove their concept. Surf Loch aired computer art of their new Wave Bender design, which has a curved shoreline.
Safety & Regulatory Framework
In a major development for 2025, ASTM International approved F3556‑25, a surf park-specific safety standard covering wave generation equipment design, manufacturing, operations and maintenance. This provides formal guidance for jurisdictions and developers seeking regulatory clarity on building and operating artificial surf venues.
While voluntary, many cities and permitting agencies are expected to adopt ASTM F3556-25 as the benchmark for approval. Operators noted that it also simplifies insurance and contractor compliance, streamlining development timelines.
Competition & Cultural Events
Competitive events in surf parks gained visibility in 2025. Red Bull Pool Clash returned to Germany, drawing over 3,000 spectators to O₂ SURFTOWN MUC. The event blended progressive surfing with contest spectacle, showcasing wave pool potential as media-friendly venues.
Community-based programming also flourished. URBNSURF hosted all-ages events and local surf leagues as well as women-only days, while Palm Springs Surf Club launched a recurring Friday Surf & Comedy Night, and drag shows, combining surf sessions with on-site entertainment.
Global Market & Investment
Investment remained strong throughout 2025, driven by both leisure development groups and institutional capital. Surf parks are increasingly embedded into mixed-use real estate projects, serving as anchors for hospitality, retail, and residential developments.
In Europe, early movers like Lost Shore and The Wave showed continued interest from private equity firms seeking proven recreational models with scalable growth potential. The Wave was subject to a surprise change of ownership, reducing the number of parties with a share in the company. New CEO Julian Topham explained the process in a WavePoolMag Podcast.
Wave tech companies also expanded staff and partnerships. Endless Surf added engineering and project management roles to meet the demand created by its expanding international pipeline. The new hires include: Elise McCormack – Technology Lead; Bryan Behr – Director of Projects and Operations; Bill Adams – Senior Project Manager.
The space is growing, mostly becasue backers increasingly view surf parks as both lifestyle infrastructure and long-term revenue assets that blend health, sport, and tourism. This positions surf parks alongside golf courses, skate plazas, and climbing gyms as core parts of modern recreational developments.
Looking Ahead
Surf parks are no longer experimental. In 2025, they moved deeper into the mainstream leisure economy. With dozens of new developments in motion, formal safety standards in place, and flexible wave systems enabling session customization, the industry has built the framework for sustainable global expansion.
Surfing — once tied exclusively to the ocean — is now accessible in cities, deserts, and cold-weather regions. If current growth trends continue, 2026 may be the industry’s largest year yet with new openings, facilities, technologies and emerging surf cultures.
