NEXT WAVE
In Partnership with Pharrell Williams
Redefining Virginia Swim and Surf Culture.
Next Wave is an annual program offering free swim and surf lessons for Virginia Beach Youth, including Virginia Beach Public Schools, YELLOWHAB students, and Atlantis Apartment residents at Virginia Beach’s premier surf destination, Atlantic Park Surf.
Atlantic Park Surf welcomes all-beginner level swimmers and surfers from the above groups for instruction, water education, and community from Atlantic Park’s expert coaches.
The Next Wave program kicked-off in October 2025 with an incredible event welcoming more than 100 youth. We look forward to the Next Wave of youth visiting in May 2026.
Additional details coming soon!
Programming.
Swim Lessons
Led by Shaun Anderson, Professor at Norfolk State University and Senior Advisor of Community Outreach and Engagement with USA Swimming. The swim lessons will consist of on land instructional, educating participants with best in class practices for safety and swimming, followed by an in water swim lesson in our shallow wading pool.
Surf Lessons
Led by Jason Borte, Atlantic Park Surf’s Director of Surf Coaching, our surf lessons consist of a 30 minute on land surf lesson and 55 minutes on the Atlantic Park Surf Lagoon. During the land lesson instructional, our staff will educate participants on the essentials of surfing, including surfboard education, surfboard stance, standing up on a surfboard, and how to paddle. We will also educate participants on Surf Lagoon best practices and safety before getting in the water. Once in the surf lagoon, our surf coaching staff will guide participants onto small rolling waves and provide in water tips on surfing best practices.
Visit the page here to learn more about our beginner wave.
What this provides for our community.
Atlantic Park Surf and partners are looking to build strong, resilient leaders through access to swimming and surfing. We want to ensure Virginia Beach youth equitable opportunity for instruction and progression within our surf lagoon. We are able to use surfing as a vehicle to improve health and well being and to promote a sense of stewardship and community.
We envision a world where youth from all backgrounds have an appreciation for nature, identify with surf culture, and have the necessary resiliency and skills to be happy and healthy adults. Surfing and swimming provides participants with confidence, physical and mental wellness, and a sense of environmental stewardship. Plus, there is nothing more fun than riding waves with friends and the feeling of being part of a larger community.