Virginia Beach Finally Gets Good Waves (That Aren’t From a Hurricane)

Originally posted on SURFER | By August Howell | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 5:00 AM ET

It took a brand new wave pool to get Bretty Barley out of North Caroline and up to surf in Virginia Beach. It’s only a three-hour drive, but the fact underscores a tragic irony. VB has a long history of surfing, shaping and industry connections. And yet it has never had consistent, solid waves. Until Atlantic Park Surf cut the ribbon on August 16 and opened the first Wavegarden Cove in the United States.

Not only is the pool part of a $350 million development designed to attract tourism dollars, but it also gives local surfers a chance to get barreled around the clock.

“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.”

Brett goes through a variety of turn and barrel sections (all lefts, ‘cause why not). A 1-hour under the pro settings ran Brett $160. “In my eyes, completely worth it,” he said. “I will be coming back to do that again.”

“I think Virginia Beach and the entire East Coast just got a lot cooler,” Blayr concluded. “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.”

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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