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6d ago

Newport Beach Approves Snug Harbor Surf Park to Replace Part of Municipal Golf Course

The council backed the privately developed wave park to capture training and tourism potential before LA28.

A new wave pool called Snug Harbor using Wavegarden technology is being proposed for Newport Beach, a 5-acre pool expected to open by spring 2028 if approved. (Renderings courtesy of Snug Harbor)

Overview

  • The City Council voted 6-0 on Oct. 28 to approve the project, with one recusal, clearing what would be Orange County’s first surf park.
  • The plan removes three golf holes, the driving range and several facilities while keeping 15 holes in play, drawing objections from local golfers.
  • Developers outline an 18‑month construction schedule targeting completion ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
  • The John Wayne Airport Land Use Commission recommended against the project over aircraft‑accident risk concerns, but the city exercised its authority to override the recommendation.
  • Two Wave Garden–powered pools would host up to 72 surfers with extended daily hours, using about 28 million gallons of water annually with roughly 15 million returned, solar supplying nearly half of wave energy needs, and a staff‑projected $760,400 in yearly revenue with a net fiscal benefit of about $256,000.