Catching Custom-Made Waves Will Be A Thing On Long Island

SHIRLEY, NY — If Long Island's waves are a little too big, or if you are missing warmer temps, your problem is a little bit closer to being solved.

The developers of Long Island's first surf club, Crest New York, broke ground on their venture in Shirley on Wednesday with a planned opening for sometime in 2024.

The club is located in the industrial complex on Precision Drive off of William Floyd Parkway, just south of the Long Island Expressway.

It will be the place to go for one-foot peelers to seven-foot wedges — with custom-made waves, according to father and son developer team Chris and Brett Portera.

The club will allow surfers of all ages and experience levels to train year-round, day or night in a 55,000-square-foot surf pool designed with projected wave heights of two to seven feet, ride lengths of up to 85 yards, and "the largest wave variety in the industry," the Porteras said.

It's being billed for a locale less than an hour from Manhattan and at the gateway to the Hamptons as a place "built by surfers for surfers," according to the Porteras.

"Crest New York serves up year-round access to infinite waves and limitless rides without the beachfront crowds," a news release from the pair stated.

The pool was designed by Premier Surf Systems, and the clubhouse by GRCH Architecture and Curious Yellow Interior Design.

The club will also feature a 9,000-square-foot clubhouse.

Inside patrons will have access to elite coaches and fitness professionals, as well as on-site yoga, Pilates, meditation, bodywork, elevated dining experiences, an open-plan lounge, a balcony bar with expert mixologists, semi-private nooks and alcoves for business meetings, and concierge services.

The club will be members only at a cost of $1,500 per month, according to Beach Grit.

In a statement to Patch, Brett Portera, co-founder and chief executive officer of Crest Surf Clubs, said the club is "a member-driven concept, with plans to develop opportunities for community engagement once we open."

"The focus to this point has been to establish a baseline founding membership as we move into the construction phase," he said. "Moving forward, we plan to establish additional membership opportunities, and look forward to welcoming surfers and non-surfers alike."

Potera in a news release said he dreamed of creating Crest Surf Clubs since graduating from his longboard to his first fiberglass surfboard.

"What started out as a vision that I shared with my father has finally come to fruition,” he said.

“As avid surfers ourselves, we created Crest New York with surfers in mind – meaning surfers from around the world will have access to exclusive technology allowing them to surf whichever waves they want at whatever temperature they want at any given time.”

Chris Portera said that surfing "has brought his family together for years and has always been a way for him to bond" with his son, Brett.

“Crest will not only be a surf club, but a place for individuals and families to gather and connect with one another – a real lifestyle and community,” he said.