## Virginia Beach’s Atlantic Park: Is This America’s Best wave Pool?
“it embodies the energy, the spirit, the imagination, and the potential of the local people,” said Virginia Beach’s most famous local. “It is for those looking forward,the innovators and the creators,the people pushing Virginia Beach into the future.”
No, that wasn’t Wes Laine, but Pharrell Williams. He may have been waxing lyrical, rather than waxing his favorite twin-pin, on Atlantic Parkthe $350m advancement that has a Wavegarden Cove as its central honeypot and marketing tool.
Related: Virginia beach’s $350 million Surf Park Announces Opening Dates
Wavegarden
Over a few sweltering days in early July,the first testing sessions were held in the Virginia pool that is scheduled too open later in the summer. Locals Michael Dunphy, Blary Barton, fellow East Coaster surfers Cam Richards, and Mason Barnes were joined by local rippers Camden hoover and Bella Faircloth.
Yet it was a West Coast blow-in, Jacob “Zeke” Zlensky, who was most effusive. Zeke has been a willing guinea pig at almost every new wave pool on the planet. While he’d probably turn up to the opening of an envelope, few surfers are better qualified to compare and contrast synthetic waves than the Californian.
Wavegarden
“This is the best wave pool in America,” Szekely told SURFER afterwards. “And it has the best air section, by far.” If the hundreds of labourers, builders, architects, and landscapers working on the unfinished surrounding works stopped to watch, they would have seen Zeke pull out his wave pool toolkit. That included straight airs, a superman, an alley-oop with a lien grab, a passion pop shuv-it, and the lesser spotted, in the water at least, one-foot Madonna air.Dunphy and richards were more occupied with the fact that there were three days of solid, consistent surf at Virginia. “When it comes to surfing, Virginia Beach has a deep, r## Virginia Beach Rides the wave with Atlantic Park, a New Wavegarden Facility
Virginia Beach, known for its challenging and often inconsistent surf, has entered a new era with the opening of Atlantic Park, a state-of-the-art wave pool powered by Wavegarden technology. The facility promises consistent, high-quality waves year-round, addressing a long-standing frustration for East Coast surfers.
Wavegarden
The opening sessions saw eager participation from local surfers, including young talents Camden Hoover and Bella Faircloth, who both reportedly experienced the best barrels of their lives. Professional surfer Cam Richards was also present, working on developing a backside flip maneuver. “[The] issue of inconsistent conditions that East Coast surfers constantly face has just been solved,” stated Richards,according to reporting by *surfer Magazine* [https://www.surfer.com/features/atlantic-park-virginia-beach-wavegarden/](https://www.surfer.com/features/atlantic-park-virginia-beach-wavegarden/).
Atlantic Park operates on a tiered pricing system, with 55-minute surf sessions costing approximately $125 for beginners and $160 for experienced surfers, though prices may vary based on session type and season. The success of the venture hinges on attracting both affluent locals and tourists, as well as providing an accessible option for local surfers who previously had to travel significant distances – to the West Coast or internationally – to experiance consistent wave quality.
Wavegarden
However, surfing is only one component of a larger redevelopment project spearheaded by developer Bruce Williams. Atlantic Park is integrated into a broader real estate play encompassing shopping, dining, residential units, and boutique lodging. Williams is also leading the renovation of The Dome, a significant cultural and live music venue, aiming to create a complete entertainment destination. [https://www.pilotonline.com/news/local/virginia-beach/2023/08/atlantic-park-wavegarden-virginia-beach-opening-date-bruce-williams/](https://www.pilotonline.com/news/local/virginia-beach/2023/08/atlantic-park-wavegarden-virginia-beach-opening-date-bruce-williams/)
Williams, a musician himself (known for the song “Sunshine”), is bringing a unique vision to virginia Beach. Whether atlantic Park will become a long-term success and a surfing hotspot remains to be seen, but it undeniably marks a pivotal moment for surfing on the East Coast.