There’s no shortage of waves in Queensland, Australia, especially with world-class surf spots like Snapper Rocks sitting pretty at the southern end of the state.
But with the wave pool boom in full swing, why not add a few more?
That’s the goal with Palm Valley Gold Coast, an incoming mega-facility featuring an 18-hole golf course, hotel and resort, amenities, and of course, a wave pool. It’s all backed by three-time world champion Mick Fanning, and now the government, too.
Just recently, the Queensland Government’s Tourism Icons Investment Fund injected the endeavor with a $4,000,000 investment, further boosting the project’s development. “The fund backs projects that go beyond infrastructure to create major tourism experiences that attract visitors to Queensland and deliver long-term benefits for local communities,” a presser explained.
The wave pool will feature Endless Surf technology. It’s the same stuff we originally saw at 02 SurfTown Muc, then more recently with two new pools in Saudi Arabia – one at the Red Sea entertainment and adventure venue, known as Adrena; then another at “Aquarabia…a cornerstone of Qiddiya City — a $750 billion destination designed to become the Kingdom’s capital of entertainment, sports, and culture.”
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As for Mick, here’s what he had to say about the project:
“It’s a surf destination, it’s golf, it’s resort, it’s everything that the Gold Coast embodies. When the waves aren’t great, they can come up to the wave park, and have a good time there.”
There’s even Olympic surfing dreams for the park – either for training, or potentially as a venue – with the Summer Games coming to Brisbane in 2032.
But Fanning isn’t the only former Gold Coast surfing champion bringing a wave pool to the region. Joel Parkinson also has a $60 million project in the works – using Wavegarden tech – coming Australia’s Sunshine Coast in 2028.
The rivalry continues? According to Mick, there’s no competition brewing.
“We’ll probably be swapping passes,” he said. “He’ll be coming to ours; I’ll be going to his.”
No official date has been announced for the opening of Palm Valley, but waves are expected to be breaking by 2028. Stay tuned.
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