## Virginia Beach Welcomes First U.S.Wavegarden Cove, Transforming East Coast Surfing
It took the opening of a new wave pool to entice surfer Bretty Barley to travel from North Carolina to surf in Virginia Beach.Despite being only a three-hour drive away, Virginia Beach, a city with a rich surfing history and industry ties, has historically lacked consistent, quality waves. That changed on August 16th with the debut of Atlantic Park Surf, the first Wavegarden Cove in the United States.
The wave pool is a key component of a $350 million progress aimed at boosting tourism and, crucially, providing local surfers with reliable access to surfable waves.
### A Game Changer for Virginia Beach Surfing
“This wavepool is the most surreal thing ever,” said Virginia beach surfer Blayr Barton. “As a local, it is pretty insane that I can drive 15 minutes from home to go surf perfect waves. not to mention how flat it is here almost year-round,so this just opened up so many opportunities to kids and upcoming surfers to really put the time in to surf and practice.”
The Atlantic Park Surf facility utilizes Wavegarden Cove technology, creating consistent, man-made waves suitable for surfers of all skill levels. Wavegarden Cove uses a submerged, central wave-generating mechanism to produce a variety of wave types.
### Cost and Impact
A one-hour session under professional settings cost Bretty Barley $160, which he deemed “wholly worth it” and plans to repeat. The arrival of Atlantic Park Surf is expected to substantially impact the East Coast surfing scene.
“I think Virginia Beach and the entire East Coast just got a lot cooler,” Barton added. “I feel like the East Coast doesn’t get as much attention as everywhere else, and now that this is out and running, it’s finally catching everybody’s eye. This is a complete game changer for VB surfing, and it’s gonna be pretty amazing to see what’s to come in the next couple of years.”
### Looking Ahead
The opening of Atlantic Park Surf marks a pivotal moment for surfing in Virginia Beach and the broader East Coast. By providing consistent wave access, the facility promises to cultivate a new generation of surfers and attract tourism, solidifying Virginia Beach’s position as a surfing destination. The success of this venture could pave the way for similar wave pool developments along the East Coast, further elevating the region’s surfing profile.