The French Broad River in Woodfin, North Carolina, is set to become a new hub for water sports enthusiasts with the upcoming completion of the Woodfin Wave project. This $4.8 million initiative, which faced delays due to Hurricane Helene, is on track to be unveiled to the public this summer at Riverside Park.
Woodfin Mayor Jim McAllister expressed enthusiasm about the project’s potential impact on the community, stating, “We think it’s going to transform this small town. Everywhere I go in town, people are asking me ‘When can we get in?’ There’s a buzz about it all over the place.”
Designed for surfers and kayakers to perform various maneuvers, the wave was meticulously tested at a hydraulics lab in Prague to ensure optimal conditions for water sports. Marc Hunt, a local outdoors advocate and kayaker, likened the wave to “the river equivalent of the perfect surfing wave,” comparing it to Hawaii’s Waimea Bay.
Hunt has been a driving force behind the project, advocating for a whitewater wave in the French Broad since the 1990s. His efforts gained traction when he proposed the idea to then-Woodfin Mayor Jerry Vehaun, leading to a successful $4.5 million municipal bond approval by Woodfin residents in 2016.
The wave is part of a broader $35 million development plan, the Woodfin Greenway and Blueway Project, which aims to revamp the river corridor between Asheville and Woodfin. This comprehensive project includes a network of greenways and parks, connecting key sites like Silver-Line Park and The Mill at Riverside to Asheville’s River Arts District.
An essential aspect of the project is the restoration of the French Broad River’s banks, particularly at Riverside Park, a former industrial landfill. Shannon Tuch, Woodfin’s Town Administrator, highlighted efforts to remove approximately 26,000 cubic yards of construction debris to enhance flood resilience through constructed wetlands and bioretention areas.
Funding has been bolstered by significant contributions from Buncombe County, which provided $19 million, and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, contributing $8 million. Vic Isley, President and CEO of the authority, regards the wave as a “terrific asset” with the potential to host international events like the International Canoe Federation World Cup.
Economist Mark Buckley of ECOnorthwest shared insights from similar projects, such as Bend, Oregon’s whitewater park, which attracts over 100,000 visitors annually and contributes about $26 million to the local economy. He emphasized that successful installations become iconic community focal points, aiding in revitalizing underutilized areas.
Woodfin, which once thrived as a manufacturing hub, now seeks to leverage the wave and parks system to foster new economic opportunities. Tuch noted the ongoing comprehensive zoning review aimed at encouraging sustainable growth along the river corridor, with hopes of attracting businesses like lodging, restaurants, and outdoor gear shops.
