Long Island Surf Park

The Pool

The wave pool will be 52,500 square feet (1.1 acres) which makes much smaller than The Wave in Bristol but larger than BSR Surf Resort. When you consider the pool size, wave size and ride length (mentioned above), Long Island Surf Park hopes to provide larger, longer and more versatile waves, than BSR and a ride the same length or very close to the advanced wave a full size Wavegarden Cove installations (Bristol & Melbourne).

The fresh water pool will be heated to at least the mid 50s (ºF) using an energy system that will recapture heat given off from the pool. In summer, surfers can expect water temp upwards of 60,70, and possibly 80 degrees.

The pool will be surrounded by walls and 30+ foot pine trees, protecting the pool from wind. This should cut down on wind chill year round as well as the disturbance of the wave face. The Long Island Surf Park team also plans to use wind screens to help cut down on wind.

Technology

As mentioned above, the Long Island Surf Park team has yet to reveal what technology they plan to use for the wave pool. However, the renderings appear to show a wave pool that produces a wave at the back of a rectangular pool. That wave subsequently travels toward the shallower front of the pool causing it to crest and break. Surf Loch, Murphy’s Waves and SwellSpot technology all produce waves in a similar fashion, and provide flexibility in wave size and shape, so we suspect one of their technologies will be used.

Access and Membership

The Long Island Surf Park will be open year-round, thanks to their plans to heat the water. They plan to offer one-hour sessions to the public for half of their operating hours. The other half will be reserved for customers who purchase annual memberships that range from $3,500 to $8,000.

Amenities and Other Services

Outside the wave pool, the 3.5-acre property will also host a restaurant, surf shop and locker rooms. The second floor in the main two-story structure would be home the restaurant, ping pong tables, fireplaces, and outdoor lounge areas that will be enclosed in the winter.

The pool will offer lessons for beginners who want to learn how to surf. The pool will also host contests for the public and for members.

More than 1/3 of the land will remain undeveloped.

The total estimated cost of the facility is $10 million, including the 3.5 acre property they purchased in February 2019.

History

Chris and Brett Portera, the father and son team behind the Long Island Surf Park, have been dreaming of wave pools since for 10-12 years.

Then, after a Typhoon Lagoon surf session in 2015, they decided to pursue their dreams in earnest and build a pool in Long Island.

In February 2019 they purchased the 3.5 acre site for the wave pool in Shirly, New York.

On June 17, the Town of Brookhaven Planning Board approved the site plan and the special-use permit.

Chris and Brett hope Long Island Surf Park is the first of many. We’re hoping they are right.

Sources: Long Island Surf Park, Greater Moriches, Patch.com, Newsday.com