News

Ocean Sports Development, Inc. (OSD) and OCE West Orange, LLC announced plans to develop a world-class surfing destination on OCE's 44-acre site at 7902 Avalon Road, adjacent to the Orange County National Golf Center in Horizon West.

According to OSD Chairman Anthony Brown, "Our proposed Orlando Surf Park will offer the public an unparalleled recreational experience while at the same time providing a state-of-the-art venue for surfer training, practice, and competition at all levels."

The $45-million project will showcase a 15-acre surf pool featuring innovative wave technology developed and patented by surfboard pioneer Greg Webber. Utilising programmable flow controls to produce an artificial reef effect, the Webber Wave Pool system will create a remarkably variable surf environment with wave shapes and sizes that will lead the industry. The patented wave systems will be made from mass-manufactured component integration, assuring cost-effective systems' construction, operation, and maintenance.

The surf pool will be surrounded by a sand beach and boardwalk, with other amenities including sand volleyball courts, an event pavilion, and a 27,000-square-foot athletic training centre. The complex will feature a BC Surf & Sport Superstore, retail shops, a restaurant, and two tiki bars in a landscaped casual setting with a tropical beach vibe. Spectators can enjoy the outdoor experience while watching individual surfers or competition events with live playback on one of two 700’-wide video screens.

The park will have generous landscape buffers around the perimeter and lush interior landscaping with on-site parking for guests and bus parking for teams and other groups.

Brown says the developers are committed to transforming the former landfill site into an environmentally safe, ecologically advanced community asset. The pool basin will have a geosynthetic liner and an underlay of sand and bentonite clay; a solar grid will power the wave generation equipment, and state-of-the-art water treatment systems will provide full surface water reuse. All systems will be a focal point of academic programs for high school and collegiate studies.

The construction phase is projected to employ 250 workers. Once open, the park is expected to create 150 permanent jobs. Industry experts from the Sports Facilities Companies of Clearwater, FL, project a positive multimillion-dollar direct and indirect impact for Orange County from year one of operation forward.

While Orlando Surf Park is expected to draw surfing enthusiasts from across the United States and around the globe, Brown notes that his development team is firmly committed to serving the local community: "Our initiatives are set to include lifeguard and first responder training, veteran wellness surfing, kids' swim and surf lessons, school field trips, and college internships. And the park will serve as a regional training facility for the next generation of champion surfers and the future home of the National Surfing LeagueTM."