Hard Hat Media Tour Showcases World’s First EpicSurf Under Construction in Florida 

January 22, 2026 (Cohoes, NY) — EpicSurf hosted local and industry media for a hard hat media tour at Heroes Paradise, offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the world’s first EpicSurf installation currently under construction in Brandon, Florida.

 

The tour provided media with a comprehensive overview of the project vision, progress, and significance, as Heroes Paradise prepares to introduce a landmark stationary surf attraction to the region. Once complete, the EpicSurf at Heroes Paradise will feature the largest standing wave on the East Coast and the second-largest standing wave in the United States, positioning the venue as a major one-of-a-kind destination within the surf and attractions industries.

 

During the event, Heroes Paradise ownership shared the history of the venue and the strategic decision to make surf a core attraction. Media learned why Aquatic Development Group (ADG) and EpicSurf were selected as partners, how their experience in wave development aligned with the project’s goals, and what this project means for Heroes Paradise, the community, and the future of stationary surf.

 

“From the original design of the facility, we knew we wanted some form of aquatic or surf experience,” said Julie Pennenga, co-owner of Heroes Paradise. “After years of research, discussions, and design iterations, we chose EpicSurf as our technology partner.”

 

 

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ADG representatives highlighted the company’s decades-long history in wave and surf innovation and provided a detailed overview of EpicSurf’s deep-water stationary wave technology. Presentations covered EpicSurf’s key features and benefits, including wave adjustability, accessibility, operational efficiency, and the ability to accommodate surfers of all skill levels within a high-capacity entertainment environment.

“We’re incredibly excited and grateful to Tim and Julie Pennenga, their family, and the entire Heroes Paradise team for trusting ADG to help bring this bold surf vision to life,” said Bruce Quay, COO & Partner at Aquatic Development Group. “From the very beginning, the Heroes team has shown unwavering passion and commitment, even in the face of challenges, and today it’s rewarding to see EpicSurf taking shape on site. By pairing Heroes Paradise with deep-water surfing, they are creating a truly one-of-a-kind destination that serves both the local community and the broader surf industry. EpicSurf delivers a consistent, adjustable 3–5-foot deep-water wave at the touch of a button, giving surfers of all ages and skill levels the freedom to ride the board they choose. It’s a wave built for progression, accessibility, and pure joy, and we can’t wait to see this action-packed surf destination come to life.” 

 

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Construction partner ARCO/Murray shared updates on construction progress, noting that the project broke ground in late October and that the surf tank is now nearing completion. Serving as the design-build general contractor, ARCO/Murray is responsible for constructing the tank and completing the project’s concrete scope. To date, construction milestones include the shipment of 3.5 full truckloads from EpicSurf’s manufacturing facility, the placement of approximately 900 cubic yards of concrete for the surf pool vessel (by comparison, a typical two-car garage slab uses roughly four cubic yards) and the installation of more than 10.5 tons of reinforcement steel. The ADG (Aquatic Development Group) team is scheduled to be on site in early February to begin installation of the EpicSurf system.

 

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“If you’ve ever seen an eight-year-old stand up on a surfboard for the first time—the joy on their face and the crowd cheering them on, that same energy will be recreated in this pool,” said Dan Wagner of ARCO/Murray. “At the same time, EpicSurf will serve as a destination for expert surfers and athletes to train. The system’s reliability and predictability allow surfers to progress more efficiently as the sport continues to grow, Heroes Paradise represents a major step forward for inland surf, and projects like this require the right partners to bring them across the finish line,” Wagner added. “We’re incredibly proud to support Tim and Julie’s vision and to be part of this team. It’s not every day you get to build something this technically complex and impactful. We’re excited to turn the keys over soon and watch how surf continues to evolve in this ever-growing space.”

 

“If you’ve ever seen an eight-year-old stand up on a surfboard for the first time—the joy on their face and the crowd cheering them on, that same energy will be recreated in this pool,” said Dan Wagner of ARCO/Murray. “At the same time, EpicSurf will serve as a destination for expert surfers and athletes to train. The system’s reliability and predictability allow surfers to progress more efficiently as the sport continues to grow, Heroes Paradise represents a major step forward for inland surf, and projects like this require the right partners to bring them across the finish line,” Wagner added. “We’re incredibly proud to support Tim and Julie’s vision and to be part of this team. It’s not every day you get to build something this technically complex and impactful. We’re excited to turn the keys over soon and watch how surf continues to evolve in this ever-growing space.”

 

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Plans are in place for the opening of the new wave by the end of 2025, bringing inland deep-water surfing to Brandon and enhancing the overall guest experience at Heroes Paradise. Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking project!

 

 To learn more about Heroes Paradise, visit https://www.heroesparadise.com/