Many don't picture Austin as a world-class surfing destination, but a new project in the works may be looking to change that.
The city will soon welcome a new water sports venue that will feature amenities such as a lagoon, children and adult beaches and an outdoor concert venue.
Nland Surf Park could be completed as early as 2016. City permitting records show it will be just east of Austin Bergstrom International Airport off of south Highway 71. According to KVUE's partners at the Austin American-Statesman, it will be the size of nine football fields with 11 surfing areas.
"You have people who maybe were surfers or want to be surfers and were trying to find other ways to be on the water that almost scratch that itch, but it's not quite surfing," said Austin surfer Matt Thomson.
Thomson runs Wavecation, a website that helps people plan their next surf trip. He grew up surfing in Galveston and Southern California but the closest thing in Austin for him is wake surfing on Lake Austin.
"It's a few times a year that I really get to get away and surf right now which is not enough," Thomson said. "If you live in Austin your options are drive 3.5 hours for very mediocre surf in Corpus (Christi) or Galveston that will get good at times but not very often, or you get on a plane and usually fly to Central America where you get great waves but it's a full day of travel and a lot of expense."
As early as next year, he could be surfing a lot closer to home at Nland. Developers are keeping quiet on details but promise a major sports venue that will be the first of its kind in the U.S. is underway.
"It literally was the stereotypical childhood dream that's coming true. It's hard to believe that it's real," Thomson said.
Thomson expects to see real waves in a controlled environment, making it accessible for experienced surfers and even children catching a wave for the first time.
One of the executives behind the venue is Douglas Coors, whose relatives started the Coors Brewing Co. According to a press release, he is expected to reveal more details in an announcement in Austin on Thursday.
