Virginia Beach is gearing up for a busy surf season as Atlantic Park Surf announces a block of high-profile events that will bring national and international visitors to the oceanfront and the park’s Wavegarden Cove lagoon.
Surf park builds momentum
Since opening last August, Atlantic Park Surf has positioned itself as more than a local attraction: it has become a gathering place for competitive surfing, brand activations and festivals. The park hosted Stab High Virginia Beach this year, the first U.S. edition since 2019, drawing 56 professional surfers and nearly 3,500 spectators across two days. Organizers say that momentum will continue with a concentrated calendar spanning multiple weeks.
What’s coming to the city
Organizers outlined a string of events designed to showcase Virginia Beach’s surf scene and entertain a wide audience. The schedule includes long-running competitions and new celebrations that connect the surf park to the city’s oceanfront programming.
- Aug. 23–30 — 64th Annual East Coast Surfing Championships at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, a multi-day event mixing competition and beach activities.
- Aug. 27 — The VB Lineup at Atlantic Park Surf, an evening event inspired by the culture of local surfing and featuring live music and panel conversation.
- Additional regional tournaments, the Surf Park Summit and the Super Girl Festival are scheduled during the broader run of events.
“Atlantic Park Surf has demonstrated what’s possible for the future of surfing. In nearly one year in operation, our team has set an industry standard. Now, over three weeks of large-scale surf events, we’re ready to showcase what Virginia Beach has to offer,” said Nate Stevens, General Manager of Atlantic Park Surf.
Local impact and partnerships
Atlantic Park’s event slate ties into partnerships with established surf- and lifestyle brands, including Dryrobe, Rip Curl, SunBum, Toyota and YETI, among others. Those relationships help bring national attention and commercial activity to the city, supporting hospitality and retail sectors that rely on summer visitors.
For Virginia Beach residents, the influx of events means more traffic near the oceanfront on event days, larger crowds at nearby restaurants and hotels, and expanded opportunities for local vendors and entertainers. City officials and event organizers have previously coordinated on logistics for large gatherings, and this concentrated schedule will likely require renewed planning for transportation, public safety and beach access.
Events at a glance
| Event | Date(s) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast Surfing Championships | Aug. 23–30 | Virginia Beach Oceanfront |
| The VB Lineup | Aug. 27 | Atlantic Park Surf |
| Stab High Virginia Beach (recent) | Held this year | Atlantic Park Surf |
As Atlantic Park and the city host multiple competitions and festivals, Virginia Beach’s profile as a Mid-Atlantic surf destination is likely to grow. For residents, that can mean more entertainment options and economic activity — and the familiar trade-offs that come with larger crowds during peak season.
