Massive Wave Pool For Surfers Coming To NJ

JACKSON, NJ — Surfers who are searching for the perfect waves may want to look inland, where a massive wave pool for surfing is in the works.

The wave pool for surfers is part of the third phase of construction and projects approved at the Adventure Crossing USA complex in Jackson. The Jackson Township Board of Adjustment approved the third phase of the project two weeks ago, NJ.com reported.

Adventure Crossing USA was first approved in 2018 as a three-phase project with plans for a nearly 300-acre sports and entertainment complex on Monmouth Road near Six Flags Great Adventure, the vision of South Jersey developer Vito Cardinale.

Outdoor sports fields are already open and being used for tournaments and leagues. That piece includes four full-sized fields, eight half-sized fields, a clubhouse with a large kitchen, two observation decks, an umpire’s room, two announcer booths, a VIP suite and a team room. Additionally, there is a full-sized concert stage that is anticipated to offer music and entertainment.

The second phase will include a 3-acre indoor sports complex, a Top Golf facility, laser tag, a virtual reality arcade, bowling, and hotels and a conference center, and dining according to the website. Some of those facilities originally were expected to be open in 2020 but faced delays because of the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 1 million square feet of warehouse space was approved in March 2021 as an addition to the site, NJ.com reported.

The piece approved two weeks ago will include a 5.5-acre manmade surfing lagoon, according to the description provided to the Jackson planning board. The lagoon will be surrounded by restaurants, retail and other resort amenities, according to the description.

The surf lagoon would provide waves for surfers of all abilities, with more than 500 waves per hour, while controlling access to limit crowding. The surf center also would include a beach club, a restaurant and bar, a cafe, locker rooms, event space and a surf academy, according to the presentation.

The phase also is to include more than 400 apartments and 62,000-square-feet of retail space, the Asbury Park Press reported.

It also includes a cogeneration plant to provide the electricity needed to operate the facility, NJ.com reported. Residents expressed concerns about the potential environmental impacts of the cogeneration plant, but the zoning board voted 6-1 to approve, NJ.com reported.