A windblown detour turned into a surprisingly legit surf fix.

Why I Went

Last week I was in the Outer Banks, staring at 30-knot northeast winds and an ocean that looked like a Vitamix. I wanted to surf—not just squint at whitecaps—so I made the call to drive up to Virginia Beach and check out Atlantic Park Surf, the new Wavegarden-powered wave pool.

Booking & Setup

I booked an Intermediate session to get a feel for the wave’s push and pacing. I brought my Rozbern HMB (5’8” x 19¾” x 2½”, 31L) with Mayhem Evil Twin fins (L). It’s marketed as a groveler, but I’d call it a daily driver that likes a little juice.

Check-in was smooth:

  • Show up ~45 minutes early
  • Grab a wristband (you’ll reuse it for future sessions)
  • Get assigned a color-coded rashguard
  • Quick safety briefing, then paddle out

Heads-up: there’s construction on 18th Street, but the fenced-in paid lot is right next to the entrance. Once you find it, it’s easy.

First Impressions

I booked the Intermediate right-hand wave (frontside for me). You paddle down a channel alongside the machine until you hit the lineup marker. Waves come in sets of five, with short breaks in between.

Here’s the twist: you don’t see the wave forming. It emerges from a triangular zone near the machine, and you have to trust it’s coming. I missed my first two waves by under-paddling during the suction phase. The machine pulls water back before releasing the wave, and if you’re not digging in, you’ll get left behind. No cork-and-go. You’ve got to commit early.

The Wave

Chest-high and soft—not mushy, just mellow. It’s built for flow and carve, not speed or steepness. You can go vertical if you’re dialed, but aggressive top turns risk losing the wave. There’s no section to race, just a long, open canvas.

Wave Breakdown:

  • Power: Solid, but not steep
  • Feel: Like a 10-second period wave—enough energy for glidey boards
  • Best suited for: Carvy lines, flowy surfing, dialing in timing
  • Not ideal for: Snappy vertical hits or fast down-the-line surfing

Session Rhythm

I caught 12 waves in 50 minutes. That felt perfect. It’s nonstop—either paddling or surfing the whole time. No waiting, no lulls. When I got out, I felt like I’d actually surfed—not like I’d just done a few runs in a skate bowl.

Tips for First-Timers

Here’s what I wish I’d known before showing up:

  • Parking: Use the paid lot on 18th Street. It’s close and fenced.
  • Guests: Need a separate guest pass for anyone tagging along.
  • Wave timing: Paddle hard during the suction phase. You won’t see the wave forming—trust the timing and use the wall markers.
  • Lineup etiquette: Stay sharp. The rhythm is mechanical, so positioning matters more than wave-reading. Be ready to get in position after the next surfer takes off.

Final Thoughts

Atlantic Park Surf delivered. The wave quality exceeded expectations, and I’ll be back. The onboarding could use some polish—more clarity on logistics and wave mechanics would help first-timers—but once you’re in the water, it’s all about repetition, flow, and timing.

It’s not the ocean, but it scratched the itch. I was skeptical it could capture that magic “je ne sais quoi” of surfing. But I left smiling like I did after my first real session.