News Summary
Virginia Beach is cementing its reputation as a premier surfing hub through hosting major events like the Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships and the upcoming Super Girl Surf Festival. The city has added innovative surf facilities such as Atlantic Park Surf, which offers customizable waves for surfers of all skill levels. Alongside a vibrant community, diverse entertainment options, and accommodations, Virginia Beach is positioning itself as an attractive destination for surf enthusiasts and tourists. The city’s inclusive surf culture and new developments are driving substantial tourism growth and community engagement.
Virginia Beach is becoming a prominent surfing destination, showcasing its burgeoning reputation with significant events and new developments aimed at both novice and seasoned surfers alike. The city’s efforts to enhance its standing in the surfing community include hosting major events such as the Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships (ECSC) and the upcoming Super Girl Surf Festival.
The ECSC recently wrapped up its 63rd edition, which is a week-long festival that features a variety of activities beyond surfing competitions. This annual celebration includes BMX and skateboarding demonstrations, live music performances, beach volleyball, flag football, and free fitness classes. Attendees have the opportunity to enjoy original art, handcrafted goods, and classic boardwalk food from local vendors lining the boardwalk. Importantly, the event is free to attend and organized by the Virginia Beach Jaycees, a nonprofit group dedicated to community service and development.
The surfing culture in Virginia Beach has a reputation for being inclusive and welcoming, catering to both beginners and experienced surfers with its accessible waist-high waves. Adding to this commitment, Atlantic Park Surf recently opened at the Oceanfront, bringing innovative wave generation technology to the city—technology comparable to what is found in countries like Spain, Brazil, and Australia.
Atlantic Park Surf allows surfers to customize their waves based on skill level, making it an inviting spot for those just starting out as well as advanced surfers. For those looking to relax without surfing, a beach club day pass is available, providing access to amenities such as cabanas, shopping, dining options, and a boutique hotel that is set to open in the coming months. Additionally, The Dome, located within the Atlantic Park Surf complex, will serve as a venue for musical and comedic performances, further enhancing the entertainment offerings in the area.
Looking ahead, Virginia Beach will host the Super Girl Surf Festival, scheduled for September 5th to 7th, 2026. This festival is recognized as the world’s largest celebration of women in sports, music, and lifestyle and will be free for attendees. Its objective is to empower women in sports and remove financial barriers for female participants. The Super Girl Surf Festival has grown significantly since its inception, now attracting over 8,000 female athletes and 160 top professional surfers. The festival also places a strong focus on mentorship in various action sports, striving for improved inclusivity for women.
Accommodation options in Virginia Beach enhance the overall experience for visitors, with notable choices including The Historic Cavalier Hotel and the recently renovated Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel. Additionally, the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum provides insights into the history of surfing and the local lifeguarding services, while the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center offers interactive exhibits, boat tours, and adults-only events for further entertainment and education.
With its array of community-driven surfing events and the opening of Atlantic Park Surf, Virginia Beach is substantially solidifying its status as a premier destination for surfers. The combination of engaging activities, supportive culture, and innovative facilities positions the city as an attractive locale for surf enthusiasts and tourists alike.
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Additional Resources
- Travel Binger
- Item Online
- Surfline
- Northern Virginia Magazine
- WTKR News
- Wikipedia: Surfing
- Google Search: Virginia Beach surf culture
- Google Scholar: Virginia Beach surf events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Surfing
- Google News: Virginia Beach surf news
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
