Virginia Beach Youth Ride the Waves with New 'Next Wave' Surf Program

Virginia Beach launches the 'Next Wave' program at Atlantic Park Surf, offering free swim and surf lessons to youth in partnership with Adidas and Pharrell Williams' VIRGINIA brand.

Virginia Beach Youth Ride the Waves with New 'Next Wave' Surf Program

Virginia Beach has launched an exciting new initiative, the 'Next Wave' program, offering free swim and surf lessons to local youth. This program, hosted at Atlantic Park Surf's innovative surf lagoon, aims to foster water safety, build confidence, and promote community among participants aged 8 to 18.

Key Takeaways

  • Free swim and surf lessons for Virginia Beach youth.
  • Partnership with Adidas and Pharrell Williams' VIRGINIA brand.
  • Focus on water safety, skill-building, and community connection.
  • Program runs weekly through mid-October.

A Splash of Opportunity

Atlantic Park Surf recently kicked off its season-long 'Next Wave' program, a collaborative effort with Adidas and VIRGINIA, the creative platform founded by Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams. The program provides invaluable free swim and surf instruction at North America's first Wavegarden Cove surf lagoon.

The inaugural event saw over 100 participants from Virginia Beach Public Schools, YELLOWHAB, and Atlantis Apartments dive into the experience. Ages 8 to 18, these young individuals received expert guidance in both swimming and surfing.

Learning to Ride

Swim lessons, led by Shaun Anderson of Norfolk State University and USA Swimming, incorporated land-based safety education before moving to in-water instruction in the facility's shallow wading pool. Surf lessons, guided by Jason Borte of Atlantic Park Surf, began with a 30-minute land session covering surfboard basics, stance, and paddling techniques. This was followed by a 55-minute session on the lagoon's specially designed 'Waikiki' wave, an ideal rolling wave for beginners.

Building Confidence and Community

Nate Stevens, General Manager of Atlantic Park Surf, emphasized the program's broader goals: "Our team and our partners are committed to leveraging the water as a means to improve health and well-being, promote connection and community and build confident and resilient leaders." He added, "Besides, there’s nothing more fun than riding waves with friends and the feeling of being part of a larger community, and we believe in providing Virginia Beach youth with equitable access to those opportunities."

The 'Next Wave' program, which was announced in October 2025 and has already received the Surf Park Central’s Progression in Democratization & Accessibility Award, operates weekly through mid-October. Participants are equipped with essential gear, including life jackets, soft-top surfboards, wetsuits, sunblock, and snacks, ensuring they have everything they need to build confidence and safety skills in and around the water.

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