It may be a year off before plans pass the environmental analysis process, but Orange County could be getting a seven acre surf lagoon in the near future – right in the heart of the surf community – and a stone’s throw from the storied, “dirty, old” Newport Wedge.
A Planning Commission staff report from the City of Newport Beach says the project proposes a wave pool on part of the upper Newport Bay preserve currently being used as a golf course.
The City Council of Newport Beach, California approved a study to explore creating a new, state of the art wave pool. Back Bay Barrels LLC is footing the bill for a $277,000 study to examine the impact the development would have on the area.
“I like the idea of a wave pool in Newport Beach,” says former WSL pro Shannon Aikman, who lives just above where the wave pool might go.
“It’s an exciting new category in surfing and could be a haven for all ages who want to learn.”
“I’m not really into pools but I know I am definitely in the minority,” says Peter Belden, owner of The Board Club in Newport. Belden should know. His business has surfers from 7 to 70 and he sees hundreds of them. “When Waco opened’ I can’t tell you how many of my customers asked for boards and covers to go Waco,” he says. “It blew my mind!”
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Dave Rosenberger and his wife Cheryl operate 11th Street Surf Shop at two locations in Newport. “From a business perspective, we obviously see it as a boon to surf retail business,” says Dave. I don’t know if that means there will be more people surfing the beaches after they surf the pool – which most surfers probably think we have enough of. But Newport surf shops could definitely use a shot in the arm.”
Councilmember Erik Weigand said at the recent council meeting that this will be just 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. The environmental report process could take a year to complete.
“This is simply the consultant doing a study on the impacts on the community with a surf park in place,” Weigand said.
For Alex Knost, the ever-stylish longboard ace and resolute environmentalist, reaction was more of a “wait and see.” It would be hard to give an appropriate environmental perspective with out seeing the results of the study.
What would the wave pool complex look like? A Planning Commission staff report says the project proposes would develop 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: the larger one would feature health and fitness facilities, a surf-related retail store, locker rooms, storage lockers, and food service. A second, smaller building would be two stories and would have twenty overnight rooms for athletes.
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Assistant city manager Seimone Jurjis notes, “The land is privately owned and it would require a general plan zoning change to allow the project.”
That brought up the question of feasibility – part of what the study is sure to address.
For instance, according to the report two surface parking lots would provide 290 spaces, along with a designated drop-off and valet area.
“When I first heard about it through the surfer’s grapevine, my reaction was “why Newport Beach?” says Peter Belden. “ How much will one of those parking spaces cost in this city?”
Despite noting reservations, the general consensus was positive.
“In the future, it could be a location for Olympic training,” says Shannon Aikman. “All the hotels would send visitors to the wave pool, creating more space at our local breaks. I’m for it as long as it has a positive environmental and local impact. Surfing is international, and now available to all, even if it is on land.
“I like nature and the pure forms of wave riding,” but totally support it, says Peter Belden, “And if they can afford to build it here there will be no shortage of customers.”
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