A Public Records Act request shows that there are alternative opportunities for building a surf pool facility at Alameda Point. A surf pool is a type of shallow swimming pool with equipment that produces artificial ocean-like waves so users can practice surfing.

The City of Alameda has been moving toward leasing public park land to one developer for a commercial surf pool facility, while two other surf pool developers have also expressed interest in buying commercial property from the city for the same use.

If the private facility is built in the park and does not work out, the city would be left with a specialized pool that would cost the city to either manage or remove it.

If, on the other hand, a company buys commercial property from the city, the developer would take on all the risk that goes with owning property. In addition, the city could use the revenue from the sale to replace some of Alameda Point’s outdated infrastructure, which, according to a recent staff report, has ballooned to an estimated cost of $840 million. The sold property would also produce annual property tax.

On May 17, 2025, at a highly publicized pop-up community event, the city and Neptune Beach Surf Club Development Partners, LLC (Neptune) rolled out their proposal to construct a surf pool facility on what would become leased land in Enterprise Park. It quickly became clear that not everyone in Alameda was happy about the location and process underway. Calls for the city to sell land across the street in the commercial district were part of the feedback (community reaction can be found in the “Exhibit 2 Community Meeting and Survey Results” download).

Soon thereafter, two other surf pool developers contacted city staff, according to emails retrieved from public records.

On May 19, the San Francisco Economic Development Department sent the city an email asking if it could connect a French company, working with consulting firm Business France, “which is creating a type of surfing wave pool,” with the City of Alameda to see if there were potential opportunity sites for its project. The company was coming to San Francisco on a trade mission. There is no documented response by city staff inviting the French company to visit Alameda.

On May 27, SurfLoch, a company that designs, engineers, builds, and operates surf pools around the world, contacted the city and expressed interest in being considered for the project. Matt Nowlen, Assistant Recreation and Parks Director, responded: “At this stage, we are in the early phases of exploring potential opportunities for this site. Should there be any updates or if I have questions as we move forward, I will be sure to reach out.”

On July 10, city staff took the leasing proposal concept to a meeting of the Recreation and Park Commission where the interests expressed by SurfLoch and the French company were not mentioned. Feedback at the meeting was mixed on whether the private surf pool should be built in a public park.

“I understand that the local community has voiced reservations regarding the proposed surf park location due to its existing status as a small tranquil public park near a boat ramp and beach,” SurfLoch CEO Thomas Lochtefeld wrote on July 18. “In view of potential community resistance, my group would prefer a location that is already targeted for commercial use and capable of land purchase …. We would also consider the addition of a hotel resort.”

Nonetheless, city staff took Neptune’s leasing proposal to city council three months later. On October 21, the council met in closed session to consider the “price and terms” of the lease. “Staff provided information and council provided direction,” according to the city clerk’s post-meeting announcement. It is unknown whether SurfLoch or Business France were brought up during the meeting.

On November 10, following the publication of a commentary critical of the city council decision, SurfLoch’s CEO again emailed city staff, asking: “In view of community reaction to the proposed surf pool at Enterprise Park … I foresee that project becoming embroiled in a prolonged political debate, and most likely will never happen. Notwithstanding, I recall you mentioned that other properties (e.g., the air hangars) could be soon available. In this light, is there other opportunity? Especially if the property is capable of land purchase.”

Abby Thorne-Lyman, the city’s Director of Base Reuse and Economic Development, responded, “We will still hold on exploration of a private surf park on other city-owned land until we advance far enough into the process for council to provide direction to change course.”

The Alameda Post asked Thorne-Lyman if there was a reason why the city did not pause the leasing process in the public park when there was an offer to purchase land in the commercial area for the same use, and whether the city had met with the French surf pool developer. The inquiry was forwarded to the city’s communications director and the Recreation and Parks Department because “this project is being managed by [them],” Thorne-Lyman said. The city did not respond.

On January 28, 2026, SurfLoch told the Alameda Post that it “still has interest to purchase land in Alameda Point for a surf pool and potentially a hotel.”

Originally published in the Alameda Post.