Virginia Beach is Riding a New Wave of Surf Culture

From the longstanding East Coast Surfing Championships to the newly opened, state-of-the-art Atlantic Park Surf and the arrival of the Super Girl Festival, Virginia Beach is carving out its place as a hub for surfers.

When it comes to surfing destinations in the United States, Virginia Beach isn’t usually the first that comes to mind. It doesn’t have the massive barrel waves of Hawaii or California, but that’s precisely what makes it one of the best places to learn, sharpen your skills, and grow a love for the sport.

Virginia Beach’s waist-high waves create opportunities for both beginners and seasoned surfers to enjoy the sport and connect with the community around it. The surf culture here is inclusive and welcoming, offering everyone a chance to be part of it.

World’s Longest Running Surf Contest Celebrates 63 Years

The annual Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships (ECSC) recently wrapped up its 63rd year in Virginia Beach with a week-long festival featuring surfing amateurs and professionals competing for titles and prizes, along with BMX demonstrations, skateboarding showcases, and live music.

Attendees also enjoyed beach volleyball, flag football, and free fitness classes on the sand. The boardwalk was lined with local vendors offering original art, handcrafted goods, and classic boardwalk bites. 

One of the best aspects of ECSC is that it is free to attend and organized by volunteers through the Virginia Beach Jaycees, a nonprofit organization dedicated to local community service and development.

It’s clear that a significant focus of the festival is creating a culture of inclusivity, where cost is not a barrier and community is the focus. ECSC and the surrounding festival truly feel like an invitation to join its surfing community.

Atlantic Park Surf First in U.S. with Next-Gen Wave Tech

Atlantic Park Surf recently opened at the Oceanfront and is the first in the nation to feature top-of-the-line wave generation technology, already found in places like Spain, Brazil, and Australia. 

Powered by Wavegarden, Atlantic Park Surf simulates waves that are customizable for all skill levels. It’s perfect for beginners looking to learn the sport through guided lessons and controlled swells, and pros looking to take their skills to the next level. 

Even if you’re not ready to get your feet wet, you can purchase a beach club day pass and relax under the sun, lounge in a cabana, and watch the pros grind. Shopping, dining, a boutique hotel, and residential spaces with a view are coming online in phases over the next several months, and The Dome entertainment venue brings top music and comedy talent to the complex.

Virginia Beach to Host Super Girl Festival in 2026

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Next year, the world’s largest women’s sports, music, and lifestyle festival, the Super Girl Surf Festival, is set to debut in Virginia Beach. The three-day women’s action sports and music festival will take place from September 5th to 7th, 2026. Similar to ECSC, the festival is free to attend.

Rick Bratman, CEO of ASA Entertainment and producer of the Super Girl Festival Series, shared that Super Girl “is designed to empower, uplift, and inspire women and provide opportunity for women in areas where they are traditionally underrepresented.” He also notes, “the most important thing is never having money become a barrier to any woman who wants to be part of the Super Girl environment.”

Super Girl has impressively grown from 16 competitors in 2007 to now hosting more than 8,000 female athletes, including 160 top pro surfers. Bratman says, “Unlike 20 years ago when Super Girl began, young women now want the spotlight and don’t shy away from it.” He adds, “They demand it, and they deserve it.”

Super Girl emphasizes mentorship, with programs across surf, skate, BMX, and seven other sports, and has clearly made an impact on further inclusion for women in action sports. The festival perfectly complements ECSC and further supports the longstanding, inclusive surfing culture already established in Virginia Beach.

A Surf Enthusiast’s Guide to Visiting Virginia Beach

If you are looking to book your Virginia Beach stay at a grand property with rich history, look no further than The Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club. The resort, originally built in the 1920s, offers an elegant guest experience, featuring a craft spirits distillery, three restaurants, a luxury spa, and access to its private Cavalier Beach Club. Becca Restaurant and Garden, one of three on-site dining options, is a popular spot offering outdoor seating in a garden-like setting.

The Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel is another excellent option, having recently undergone renovation. It offers beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean with easy access to the beach and boardwalk. 

To round out your surfing trip, the Virginia Beach Surf & Rescue Museum is a must-visit. The free museum, situated next to the boardwalk, provides an in-depth exploration of the history of surfing and the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service.

Right down the road, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center offers boat tours and exhibits, including a kaleidoscope tunnel featuring marine photography, magical views of sting rays gliding overhead, touch tanks, and many other interactive options.

For an adults-only experience, Sharks After Dark events allow you to enjoy the aquarium with a cocktail in hand. 

A Year-Round Surfing Destination on the East Coast

With Virginia Beach’s growing line-up of community-focused surfing events and its newly opened Atlantic Park Surf, it is a verifiable surfing hot spot for novices and professionals. 

It’s a place where you can fall in love with surfing while becoming part of a community that welcomes anyone with an interest.