Machine-generated waves are pumping waves in the desert – one already exists in central California’s farmland – and surf pools are popping up in inland towns around the world.
But what about a surf park in a wave-rich beach town that already has an ocean as its playground?
Newport Beach officials recently approved moving forward with an impact study for a surf park project that would replace a portion of a golf course to bring man-made waves to the coastal town.
The council’s approval allows for a “surf farm” project to be studied by EPD Solutions, which will put together an extensive environmental review for the project proposed at what is currently the Newport Beach Golf Course on Irvine Avenue near the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve.
The professional service agreement is expected to cost $277,000, paid for by the applicant, Back Bay Barrels LLC.
The environmental report will look for the potential for impacts such as traffic, pollution and water consumption at the 15-acre proposed portion of the existing golf course, which would transform into a 7-acre surf lagoon and other amenities.
Existing parts of the golf course – including a driving range, putting green, the one, two and nine holes, a pro shop, and a restaurant with a full bar would be removed as part of the project, according to the city’s report.
Councilmember Erik Weigand said at the recent council meeting there has been misinformation in the community and the action the city was taking was not to approve the project, but rather a step in the process that will include not just environmental review, but also public input at community meetings and discussions both at the Planning Commission and City Council meetings.
“This is simply the consultant doing a study on the impacts on the community with a surf park in place,” he said.
The environmental report process could take a year to complete, officials said.
The land is privately owned and it would require a general plan zoning change to allow the project, said Seimone Jurjis, assistant city manager.
The outdoor area around the lagoon would be developed to provide seating and lounging areas, wave-viewing platforms for spectators, private cabanas with bathrooms and showers, and three warming pools, according to the staff report.
Two new buildings are proposed, with the main one – it would be no more than 50 feet tall – featuring health and fitness facilities, a surf-related retail store, locker rooms, storage lockers, and food service.
A second, smaller building would be two stories, with a maximum height of 45 feet, and would have 20 overnight rooms for athletes.
Two surface parking lots would provide 290 spaces, along with a designated drop-off and valet area.
Plans for artificial waves in Southern California have popped up in recent years, especially in the desert region, including the Palm Springs Surf Club, which opened earlier this year but shut down for several months while waves were fine-tuned.
Some groups have been testing out waves at the Palm Springs Surf Club recently and the pool is expected to soon open back up to the public. Through September, two-hour private surf sessions are available for up to 20 surfers – 10 at a time in the pool – at a cost of $6,000.
Another pool in the desert area, DSRT Surf, kicked off construction a few months ago and is eying a 2026 opening.
Plans for a pool in Oceanside called OceanKamp are moving forward. A proposal discussed in San Juan Capistrano two years ago was shut down by city officials and the public who didn’t want a big development on public land.
The two existing wave pools that have garnered the most buzz are the Surf Ranch in Lemoore about five hours from Southern California and Waco Surf an hour outside of Austin, Texas.
