A $60 million luxury surf club is coming to New York — and memberships start at an eye-watering $50,000. Here's what you get for your money

New York’s first private-member surf club, Crest Surf Clubs, is set to open a $60 million wave pool facility on Long Island in late 2025. The project, led by CEO Brett Portera, a lifelong surfer and Long Island native, aims to capitalize on the growing demand for surfing experiences in the tristate area, where natural surf conditions are inconsistent. The facility will feature a 1.2-acre heated wave basin capable of producing over 120 customizable waves per hour, reaching up to seven feet in height. Crest’s wave system, designed with input from fluid mechanics engineer Alexandre Poirot—known for his work on Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch—promises tailored surf sessions for members. Memberships are capped at 500, with an initial fee of $50,000 and monthly dues of $1,500, though early adopters received discounted founding-member pricing. Portera highlighted the challenges of surfing in the region, noting that local beaches rarely deliver high-quality waves due to variables like swell direction, tides, and wind. The club’s wave pool eliminates these uncertainties, offering a controlled environment for surfers year-round. Demand has already exceeded expectations, with Crest selling roughly 60% of its memberships before opening. The project aligns with the broader trend of the experience economy, where exclusive, high-end leisure activities attract affluent investors. Crest positions itself as more than just a surf club, aiming to become a premier destination for elite surfers in the northeastern U.S. The facility’s opening next year will mark a significant expansion of luxury watersports infrastructure in the region.