A sight for surf-starved eyes has emerged in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with the arrival of Atlantic Park – the brand-new wave pool, powered by Wavegarden tech, slated for a grand opening on August 16th. The waves are pumping, the pros are sampling the goods.
In the leadup to Atlantic Park’s arrival, it had been well-documented that one of Virginia Beach’s own was a primary backer of the $350 million project: music mogul, Pharrell Williams. And now, celebrating the park’s completion, Pharrell has dropped a line of gear including t-shirts, tote bags, sneakers, and a $1,200 surfboard. Check out the board below.
“It embodies the energy, the spirit, the imagination, and the potential of the local people,” said Pharrell, 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.”
The board, quite clearly, is more of a decorative piece than a functional stick. For more, here’s the specs: “Taupe surfboard with VIRGINIA printed logo; Item is a pre-order and ships in 4-5 weeks; Approximately 6′ tall; 3 fins included; Fiberglass and resin finish; Handcrafted; Made in U.S.A.”
As for the wave pool, it’s the first Wavegarden Cove to hit the United States. And with the pros getting the first sessions before it opens to the masses, it’s already getting rave reviews. Here’s from wave pool enthusiast, Jacob “Zeke” Szekely:
“This is the best wave pool in America. And it has the best air section, by far.”
Related: First Look: “The Best Wave Pool in America”
Fernando Odriozola, Wavegarden’s CCO, said: “Virginia Beach is the perfect location to open our first Wavegarden Cove. It has a strong surf community and a high visitation volume – the only thing missing was great waves. Now that’s covered, we’re excited to see the town and broader community thrive.”
Fingers crossed Pharrell gets out there and snags a few waves; stay tuned for that.
Atlantic Park opens to the public on August 16th.
Related: Virginia Beach’s $350 million Surf Park Announces Opening Dates