A Local Surfer’s Dream to Bring World-Class Waves to Boca Raton
A Surf Park Decades in the Making
For surfers in South Florida, the struggle is real to find consistent waves. Summer brings flat spells and aside from the occasional swell during hurricane and winter seasons, it can be tough to stay in rhythm, progress your skills, or even keep the stoke alive without traveling hours up the coast. For Cheyne Cottrell, owner of Island Water Sports and a third-generation local surfer, those lulls planted a seed that’s been growing since childhood.
“My Dad took me to surf Typhoon Lagoon when I was 9 years old. That was the first time I thought we needed a surf park, and probably every summer flat spell since then for the last 30+ years. I’ve been looking into trying to make one happen for a few years, but it wasn’t until I saw somebody else propose a surf park on this same land late last year, that I made the decision. If anyone is going to do this, it might as well be me.”
Lessons From the Past, Vision for the Future
Cottrell has had opportunities to get involved with surf park projects before but passed when things didn’t feel right. The experience sharpened his vision for what Boca Surf Park could be.
“There’s been opportunities to get involved with other projects, and there’s a lot of factors that need to align for these to happen, it’s a huge lift. First is the technology provider—there’s a lot out there, and a lot are still trying to figure it out. Endless (Surf) has really good tech, but with the throughput we’re looking for, and proven success, we decided Wavegarden is the most reliable system.
Second is the location. I wanted to bring it where the surfers are… I know we all drive up coast, but it’s because we have to. Keeping it local was a huge challenge—land is just so expensive down here that either the numbers didn’t work, or we had to charge so much that it wouldn’t be inclusive for everyone. So being able to partner with the Beach and Parks with a concession agreement takes a lot of the upfront cost down.”
The Road to Approval
The proposal is now in the hands of the city as part of a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The outcome will be decided in the coming months, with key meetings and a final vote on the horizon.
Engineering the Perfect Wave
If approved, Boca Surf Park will feature some of the most advanced wave technology available.
“We’re looking at doing the 56 module Wavegarden Lagoon. Their wave menu has 24 options, ranging from a 20-second ride with a 10-second barrel section, to the ‘Waikiki wave’ which would be a 30-second longboard ride. There’s ‘1,000 waves an hour’—that’s divided across the four peaks in the pool, so roughly four waves every minute at each peak. This really helps us drive down cost and increase the amount of people that can surf at one time.”
More Than Just Waves
Cottrell’s vision extends far beyond surfing.
“The goal is for an outdoor, health and wellness, family-oriented venue. There’s going to be a restaurant with healthy salads, an adventure park where if you’re not surfing you can go down some small slides or chill in a lazy river. Beach volleyball, plenty of lawn space for yoga/Pilates classes, a spa with cold plunges and saunas for after your surf—along with plenty more amenities.
This will be all sitting right next to Boca Paddle, the skate park, and mountain bike trails the city already has planned, and in the case of Boca Paddle, already broken ground.”
Transforming the Local Surf Scene
Having a consistent wave could be a game-changer for not just Boca Raton’s surf community, but the entire region as a whole.
“I’m fortunate to be able to be in the surf shop five days a week, so I get to see the surf community I’ve grown up with almost every day. Through that time, I feel like we lose a large amount of our surf community every summer flat spell, just because you fall out of the routine.
We’ve seen what happens in other surf communities, like Sydney, Europe, or Brazil. Surfers will be more fit, community grows because you’re seeing like-minded individuals more often, and overall the average performance level for all surfers will go up dramatically.”
How to Get Involved
With the city’s decision approaching, Cottrell says community support is crucial.
“Next three Beach and Parks meetings are Sept 15th and the big one Oct 6th. If people could show their support of the project, let the Beach and Parks District know that we want a surf park, and we believe it will be the highest and best use of the land.
There will be other uses submitting to this RFP. I don’t know who they’ll be, but from seeing what’s been submitted before, most likely hotels, golf courses, athletic fields. I think there’s room for everyone on the 210 acres. The commissioners on the Beach and Parks District have guided Boca to have the best parks of any city I’ve ever visited, so I think they’ll do what they think is best for the community. If you want to email them your thoughts:
Erin Wright – EWright@mybocaparks.org
Robert Rollins – RRollins@mybocaparks.org
Craig Ehrnst – CEhrnst@mybocaparks.org
Susan Vogelgesang – SVogelgesang@mybocaparks.org
Steven Engel – SEngel@mybocaparks.org”
No more flat spells. No more waiting. Boca Surf Park could change surfing in South Florida forever — and it’s time we speak up to make it real.
