Surf’s up, GA! Permanent surfing wave coming to Columbus on the Chattahoochee. Here are the details
Uptown Columbus has announced its boldest riverfront project yet: a permanent surfing wave on the Chattahoochee located between the Fourteenth Street pedestrian and the Thirteenth Street vehicular bridge.
Steve Morse, president and CEO of Uptown, announced the news at a press conference last week, in which he also revealed Columbus had been named the International Canoe Federation’s (ICF) very first Center of Excellence for Canoe Freestyle.
Whitewater president Dan Gilbert, a fixture of local outdoor recreation and the driving force behind past river projects, was also in attendance as he and Morse welcomed the president, vice president and several members of the ICF.
What will a surf feature look like in the Chattahoochee?
Morse told the Ledger, “We’re looking at putting a natural surfing wave feature in that part of the river. It will not be a mechanical device. It will be a free flowing natural wave that’s for kayakers, but it’s also for people like what you would typically see off the coast of California.”
The news of a surf feature in the Chattachoochee is a big deal for Columbus and Gilbert promises, “You’ll be able to surf on our wave as long as you want. It doesn’t hit the beach. You can surf, surf, surf, and really get some good quality surfing time in.”
Mike Harvey, recreational engineer and planner describes it as, “surfing a stationary wave on a surfboard.” He goes on to explain, “ it takes a wave that has certain characteristics and also enough water to support it, and Columbus has all the ingredients for a world class river surfing wave.”
This could be a game changer for Columbus’ tourism
Since the original Chattahoochee river restoration and whitewater course launched over a decade ago, that stretch has become the world’s longest urban whitewater course. Harvey says river surfing is “the fastest growing river sport in the country right now.”
USA Today picked the Chattahoochee Whitewater Park as one of the Top 12 man-made Adventures in the World and Cutbait is one of most challenging rapids on the East Coast.
According to Georgia Rivers, river sports in Columbus benefit both the community and individual households.
Chattachoochee recreation, by the numbers:
- Draws 1.9 million visitors annually
- Generated $300 million in local revenue last year
- Columbus households save an average of $600 in property taxes annually due to this influx
- The majority of current rafting guests travel more than an hour to Columbus
Surfing is expected to bring an even broader crowd, possibly attracting more visitors than kayaking has, and adding another boost to Uptown’s economy and vitality.
“It really affects what’s going on in Uptown now … they buy gas, they buy gifts, they buy food, they buy hotel rooms, so it really affects what’s going on in Uptown now,” Gilbert said.
Where will the money come from?
Although in the preliminary stages now, Columbus could be a surf town in three years or less. Morse says it will cost about $4 million and “that’s going to come from private funds.”
The Columbus City Council discussed the project in the May meeting, calling it a public-private partnership, with expectations that private investment will exceed public funding.
Columbus on the world stage
This latest project is rolling out as Columbus is riding a wave of international recognition:
- The ICF named Columbus the first-ever U.S. “Centre of Excellence” for Freestyle Kayaking, a badge reserved for top-tier paddling destinations.
- Columbus recently beat out Paris, France, to be selected as the site for both the 2028 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Cup and the 2029 Canoe Freestyle World Championship.
This recognition places Columbus on the global map as a premier destination for competitive water sports and innovative riverfront development
What can Columbus expect from the project?
- The surf wave will be free to view and, when open, will offer surfers a chance to catch river waves for fun or training
- Pedestrian access on the Riverfront is being extended all the way from Hotel Indigo to the island, making riverfront recreation more accessible than ever
- Residents can expect new shops, hospitality jobs, and a steady stream of events
With the new focus on watersports in Columbus, the city is redefining what an inland city can do. Morse promises, “It’s going to be awesome,” and could put Columbus, “on the map.”
What’s your experience with the rapids in Columbus? Are you looking forward to the new surf wave? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.
This story was originally published August 6, 2025 at 6:00 AM.