Pharrell Williams has spent decades putting Virginia Beach on the map through music, culture, and more. But now, he’s throwing his hometown up on the radar for a new initiative: helping introduce an entirely new generation to surfing.
This month, Atlantic Park Surf officially kicked off its 2026 Next Wave program, a season-long initiative providing free swim and surf lessons to local youth at Virginia Beach’s groundbreaking wave pool. The project is supported by Adidas and VIRGINIA, the creative platform spearheaded by Williams, who has become one of the driving forces behind the city’s transformation into an emerging surf destination.
Held at Atlantic Park Surf—the home of North America’s first Wavegarden Cove surf lagoon—the program welcomed more than 100 participants between the ages of eight and 18. Students from Virginia Beach Public Schools, YELLOWHAB, and the Atlantis Apartments community took part in a full day of water safety instruction, swimming lessons, and beginner surf sessions.
The idea is simple: remove barriers and get more kids in the water.
Participants received life jackets, wetsuits, surfboards, sunscreen, and coaching from experienced instructors, including Atlantic Park Surf’s Jason Borte and swim instructor Shaun Anderson. The surf lessons took place on the lagoon’s beginner-friendly “Waikiki” setting, offering a controlled environment where first-timers can learn without the unpredictability of the ocean.
Related: First Look at Pharrell Williams Surfing His $350M Wave Pool (Video)
“Our team and our partners are committed to leveraging the water as a means to improve health and well-being, promote connection and community and build confident and resilient leaders,” said Atlantic Park Surf General Manager Nate Stevens. “There’s nothing more fun than riding waves with friends and the feeling of being part of a larger community.”
The initiative reflects a larger vision that Williams has championed since becoming involved with the Atlantic Park development. While many wave pools focus on tourism, luxury experiences, or high-performance training, Next Wave is designed to create access.
The program launched in 2025 and quickly earned recognition from the surf industry, winning Surf Park Central’s Progression in Democratization & Accessibility Award.
For Williams, it’s another investment in his hometown. For Virginia Beach’s next generation of surfers, it could be the start of something much bigger than a single wave.
Check out the Next Wave project here.
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