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Orlando could be about to welcome a major new attraction, with Ocean Sports Development leading a US$45m (€41.1m, £35.6m) project anchored around a 52,000sq m (566,000sq ft) pool capable of producing artificial waves - the first of many planned for locations across the US.
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 20 Dec 2023
Orlando Surf Park would be the first of its kind for the popular tourist destination Credit: Ocean Sports Development
Orlando could be about to welcome a major new attraction, with Ocean Sports Development leading a US$45m (€41.1m, £35.6m) project anchored around a 52,000sq m (566,000sq ft) pool capable of producing artificial waves - the first of many planned for locations across the US.
Dubbed Orlando Surf Park, the venue will be located in the Winter Park area and will also feature an artificial beach, volleyball courts, a playground, tiki bars, a surf shop and an academic centre.
According to the developers, the pool will use “patented wave technology” that is entirely solar powered and capable of producing varying waves for beginners, intermediates and experts alike through an “artificial reef” effect. A US licensee of Webber Wave Pool technology, the system can change a wave’s dynamics in motion via programmable flow controls via a Kelvin wave drive mechanism, meaning wave height, speed and shape is customisable. Maximum wave height will be around 10ft (3.05m)
The surf park will sit on a 174,000sq m (1.87 million sq ft) plot of land previously used for private construction landfill. The space also offers the possibility of expansion in the future. The plans envision a space around 60 miles (100km) from the nearest beach capable of hosting professional surfing competitions.
“We are excited,” said Anthony Brown, Ocean Sports Development’s chairman, speaking to GrowthSpotter. “Orlando is the number one tourist market in the world, and that’s the reason we targeted this location for our first surf park.”
In order to gain approval, the developer would require approval of a land-use amendment, which is pending final approval from the county. The first surf park from Ocean Sports Development, Orlando would act as a launch point for the company, which has ambitious plans to open up to 30 such similar venues over the next 20 years.
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