The Beach Boy’s timeless line Everybody’s gone surfin’, surfin’ U.S.A. now takes on new meaning in Virginia after the mid-August opening of a major new waterpark.

Atlantic Park Surf, North America’s first Wavegarden Cove Surf Lagoon, opened in Virginia Beach on August 16, giving visitors the chance to experience a wave-making machine capable of producing up to 1,000 perfectly formed waves an hour.

The facility is a city setting just steps from the Atlantic Ocean.

The lagoon offers conditions for surfers of all levels, from complete beginners to seasoned pros. It can generate over 20 types of waves, ranging from one to seven feet in height, with 55-minute sessions designed so each surfer catches an average of 12 waves. Capacity is limited to 20-40 people per session, depending on the wave profile.

Powered by the most energy-efficient wave-generation technology in the world, Atlantic Park Surf underwent an extensive wet commissioning phase to fine-tune its performance. The facility was trialled by a select group of top U.S. surfers, including former East Coast Surfing Championships winners.

The lagoon is surrounded by a premium beach-club environment with loungers and cabanas for post-surf relaxation. Non-surfers can purchase a daily beach pass to soak up the atmosphere and watch the waves roll in.

Sessions are priced from around £67 to £119, with seasonal variations.

The surf lagoon is the showpiece of the $350 million Atlantic Park development, which blends live entertainment, shopping, dining, boutique accommodation, and residential living. Highlights include The Dome, a new entertainment venue that opened in May, as well as a 309-apartment community and a series of first-to-market restaurants and retailers set to open throughout the autumn.

visitvirginiabeach.com; AtlanticParkSurf.com