Kelly Slater’s Florida Wave Pool Project Facing Backlash - Stab Mag

Live Now: How Surfers Get Paid, Season 2 Episode 7 — Laird vs. The World

808 Views

Kelly Slater’s Florida Wave Pool Project Facing Backlash

Palm Beach residents are sharpening their pitchforks.

news // Apr 2, 2017
Words by Stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Seems like not everyone in Florida is stoked about getting a wave pool courtesy of hometown hero, Kelly Slater. At the moment, there are plans for a pool to be developed by Kelly Slater Wave Co. in Palm Beach. However, many are fearing that the same problems that are plaguing the NLand Surf Park in Austin, Texas could happen to them.

NLand opened last October, promising “long, consistent and barreling waves for novices, passionate travel surfers, and world-class competitors alike.” All while upholding a “commitment to environmental stewardship” that began “long before shovels hit the ground,” according to the NLand website.

However, a week into the operation, NLand found damage under its lagoon. And when it was drained to make repairs, water flowed into nearby residential properties.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/185604178

Now, residents of Palm Beach and surrounding areas are worried about similar leaks potentially happening to them. Particularly as a replay of these failures would threaten their water supply from the nearby Pine Glades Natural Area. 

“I urge you to nip this in the bud and deny the zoning changes rather than using valuable staff time on this,” resident Chris Lockhart wrote in a letter to county commissioners. “If you do not, I ask that you direct staff to consider the impacts to Pine Glades Natural Area and other adjacent and nearby conservation lands, impacts on our water sources, etc..”

“Pine Glades is a water catchment area, which helps regenerate our aquifer and wells,” wrote resident Steve Stout in a similar letter. “Plus, the human impact of lights and noise — right next to this pristine and costly natural area. This is not a smart decision.”

Currently, only industrial activities are permitted in the zone Slater’s wave company has its eyes on. The affiliated firm wants the county to change that rule, though, so the surf ranch and a 2,000-foot long wave pool can be built.

It’ll be interesting to see how this one plays out. Clearly, some locals aren’t keen on the thought of surfing unchangingly perfect waves every day. Both sides have valid arguments, so it’s easy to see how this is causing some cognitive dissonance.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

What’s In An Asym?

EAST winner Ryan Lovelace explains, William Aliotti exhibits at Kandui Resort.

May 12, 2025

Filipe’s 9.07 And Julian Wilson’s Double Bird: A Forensic Autopsy

Mick Fanning, Taj Burrow, Leo Fioravanti, Snake Paterson, Doug Silva, and Julian Wilson share their…

May 11, 2025

Julian + Filipe Just Delivered The Most Electrifying Final We’ve Seen All Year

Toledo and BLSJ are your Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro champions.

May 10, 2025

2015 Energy, 2025 Execution: JW and Jordy Run Riot On The Gold Coast

The wildcard racked up 18-points + steamrolled an Olympic gold medallist along the way.

May 9, 2025

Everything You Need To Know About Stab High Japan 2025 Presented By Monster Energy

Who, when, where, and how to watch.

May 9, 2025

Morgz Ousts Ewing, Steph Cools Simmers, Toledo Pours Kerosene on His Pile of Green Leaves

Wildcards rampage on day two of the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro.

May 8, 2025

Is This The End Of The ‘Bu As We Know It?

Charting the devastating aftermath of L.A.’s Palisades Fire.

May 8, 2025

Stab High Rookie Fires A Few Tail High Warning Shots

Watch Dane Henry's West Australian Snapt5 B-sides.

May 8, 2025

Re-Watch: Stab High Wildcard Ryan Huckabee’s Bootleg SEOTY

HUCK, and an insight into Ryan Huckabee's work-life balance.

May 7, 2025

Stab Interview: Nicolas Cage

On tombstoning in Malibu, Kelly Slater, shoving things in people’s mouths, and the release of…

May 6, 2025

“The End of an Era”

Rest in Power, Clyde Aikau.

May 5, 2025

Can You Surf Without A Traction Pad? 

Only 9% of surfers do, so let’s reveal who makes the best in the game. 

May 5, 2025

Julian Wilson Reverts To Vintage Form, Eliminates Jack Robinson

Morgan Cibilic gets a late wildcard into the draw and continues rampage.

May 4, 2025

Unlocked: Jai Glindeman’s Stab Edit Of The Year Entry, ‘Free Flow’

Shot in Fiji, Indo and Oz during ‘Magic May’.

May 4, 2025

When Is An Interference An Interference?

And more existential questions from Day 1 of the 2025 Gold Coast Pro Burleigh.

May 3, 2025

Stab Interview: WSL CEO Ryan Crosby On The Tectonic Shifts Coming To The Championship Tour

Mid-year cut and Final Five to depart in 2026, while Pipeline will return as the…

May 2, 2025

Breaking: Pipeline To Return As Final CT Stop For 2026, While Mid-Year Cut And WSL Finals Will Depart

Surf fans, rejoice.

May 2, 2025

How Surfers Get Paid: Season 2, Episode 7

Laird Vs. The World.

May 2, 2025
Advertisement