Yeah, that’s a big pool. Image: ASC//Instagram
Wave pools are rapidly gaining in popularity and numbers around the world, and the latest news should be exciting for Texas surfers who like their waves a little less salty and a lot more predictable. The Austin Surf Club, the latest wave pool to use Kelly Slater Wave Co. technology, just released an image of what the place is going to look like when it opens its doors at some point in the near future.
“Get ready to dive into the Austin Surf Club!” Austin Surf Club wrote on social media. “ASC will redefine the surf lifestyle in Texas with the world’s largest surf basin powered by Kelly Slater surf tech, luxury amenities, farm-to-table dining, and wellness spaces. A community where families will flourish, friendships will grow, and unforgettable sessions await!”
Years and years and years ago, The Inertia made a funny little film with the legendary Leah Dawson. We called it The Legend of the Iron Seahorse and it was an absolute blast to make. It was filmed at the now-shuttered NLand wave pool. I did have a chance to surf that particular wave, and while it was an absolute blast, I was left wanting. I have not, unfortunately, been able to surf the Lemoore pool that uses KS Wave Co. tech — I (rightly, I think) chose to stay at a remote wave in Mexico instead of going the only time the chance arose — but my fingers are crossed that one day I’ll find myself on a wave created by Kelly’s water-displacing train. NLand opened in 2016 to much acclaim, but as wave pool tech got better, NLand fell into a bit of a slump and eventually, after NLand closed for good in 2018, the WSL bought the property.
“The World Surf League has acquired land and assets from NLand in Austin, Texas,” a WSL spokesperson told The Inertia at the time. “Additional information will be made available at the appropriate time.”
Rumors flew about the WSL’s plans. It seemed likely that it would eventually revamp the place to include KS Wave Co.’s system, and as it turned out, those rumors were true. Like most wave pools, the development isn’t just a wave pool. The Austin Surf Club says it’s a “one-of-a-kind surf residential community where cutting-edge technology and classic surf culture converge. It is a fusion of urban energy and coastal serenity that embraces the adventurous spirit of Austin, Texas and brings the joy of surfing to your front door.”
Aside from the pool, there are condos, a brewery, a restaurant, and a clubhouse. Those things, as well as the wave itself, attracted a handful of high-profile buyers, reportedly including Matthew McConaughey, Tony Hawk, and NFL Hall of Famer Drew Brees.
This is, as far as I can tell, the first rendering of what the Austin Surf Club will actually look like. There’s still no definitive date set for opening day, but it’s likely it’ll be sometime in 2027.
