Newport Beach’s Wavepool Plans Just Took A Massive Hit

Two weeks ago, we reported on a land battle between a potential wavepool developer and a municipal golf course near the surf industry’s epicenter: Newport Beach, CA. 

On one side was Adam Cleary, founder of the Snug Harbor wavepool project, which planned to build the world’s largest Wavegarden Cove and various amenities on the plot of land currently home to Newport Beach Public Golf Course. On the other side was Benny Hallock, a high school classmate of Cleary and leader of the Save NB Golf Course movement. 

The two found themselves firmly opposed in the matter of land usage in their hometown, but Cleary had the upperhand: back in October of 2025, the Newport Beach city council had unanimously approved the Snug Harbor wavepool project. In the time since, Benny managed to collect 9,660 local signatures pushing back against Big Chlorine, stating: “None of this community wants this. They want the golf course and the open space to remain. Even though they are calling a pool open space, it’s concrete.” 

This week we have an update: the 9,660 signatures gathered by Benny Hallock and his team at Save NB Golf Course were successful in convincing the city council to reverse their decision on Snug Harbor Wave Park. The reversal means the issue will no longer go to public vote in November’s upcoming elections, a decision rumored to save the city up to $17,000. Or as Hallock put it for the Daily Pilot, “While circulating the referendum we learned the wavepool was about as popular as a root canal. Four council members are on the ballot in November and didn’t want a root canal.”

Stab reached out to Snug Harbor representative Adam Cleary for comment, but he did not respond by time of publication. 

That said, this does not mean that Snug Harbor is dead. October’s unanimous approval was in reference to an amendment that allowed the wave park to expand from 20,000 square feet to 60,000. The extra 40,000 square feet is where they planned to put the bells and whistles: Restaurant, bar, athlete accommodations, clubhouse, gym. Essentially, all the parts that put the club in country club. 

This updated decision means that the developers can no longer proceed with this plan but could still build a pool that falls within the 20,000 square foot limit that the area’s current zoning allows for. For potential founding members this certainly makes the $250,000 founding membership fee harder to stomach. We have yet to hear whether Snug Harbor plans to continue with the project in its diminished form. 

All things considered, Benny considers this, “a big win for sure, but it’s not over yet”. If the wavepool is truly off the docket for the city, this doesn’t change the timing on the termination of the 55-year lease for the course. Hallock and his team will be up against it to convince the landowner to extend or renew with updated terms. 

And if that doesn’t go to plan, what will take its place?