(The development’s central 20-acre lake will boast authentic inland surfing as well as offer leisure water recreational activities to the residents of the 326 luxury homes surrounding it.)

Thermal, CA

The town Thermal, hasn’t traditionally received a lot of attention in the Coachella Valley. Now, it is set to get a tremendous economic boost. Located 25 miles southeast of Palm Springs, 12.5 miles from La Quinta, and 9.5 miles north of the Salton Sea, a new development, the Thermal Beach Club is planned to break ground this summer with an expected December 2024 opening.

This planned multi-generational private residential community is being developed by White Star Development. It is the first of its kind in the U.S., the development’s central 20-acre lake will boast authentic inland surfing as well as offer leisure water recreational activities to the residents of the 326 luxury homes surrounding it. This simulated ocean experience was designed and engineered by Florida-based Martin Aquatic Design & Engineering using the company’s patent-pending Blue Mar Basins system.

“After years of planning, we are thrilled to announce publicly the progress we’ve made in bringing the dream of Thermal Beach Club to a reality,” said Brian Grantham, co-founder of the project. “This project will not only be a catalyst for the real estate and surfing industries, but it will also be transformative for the local community in terms of job creation, infrastructure improvements, and overall economic growth.”

Located on 118 acres in the greater Palm Springs, Calif. area, Thermal Beach Club has already received unanimous approval from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors for this billion-dollar project. In addition, the development has proposed regional enhancements such as clean water, park creation, and infrastructure upgrades.

(Artistic Rendering of Thermal Beach Club’s Central 20-Acre Lake)

“The heart of Thermal Beach Club is an amazing surfing and water recreation amenity that we’ve envisioned together with the creative team at Martin Aquatic,” said Patrick Belous, co-founder. “We leaned heavily on their expertise to develop incredible experiences in and around the water as well as create a sustainable amenity for future generations to enjoy.”

Using advanced engineering technology, the lake is more sustainable than traditional swimming pools while providing the clearest, most pristine water quality on the market. With islands, private cabanas, a family splash area, towering rock caves, as well as on-demand surf, there is an abundance of amenities to appeal to any generation.

“We’ve designed the basin at Thermal Beach Club with every possible water experience in mind—and then some,” said Josh Martin, president & creative director of Martin Aquatic. “Active-minded individuals can explore the entire basin by kayak or stand up paddleboard, while those seeking a more relaxing experience can rest along the shores or in the ankle-deep water of sunshelves. We’ve also built in special hidden moments for members to discover like an island speakeasy bar and cliff jumps out of the rockwork.”

The main feature of Thermal Beach Club is a multi-faceted 20-acre recreational water sports lake. A portion of the water sports lake contains surfing zones that use one of the premier wave-making systems in the industry. This will be the first man-made, recreational water sports amenity in the U.S. which includes a surf lagoon within it, rather than the more typical standalone surfing attractions being built around the world.

“We are delivering an authentic ocean surfing experience alongside an unrivaled beach experience, combining adventure and leisure in one place—all while 150 miles from the Pacific Ocean,” said Grantham. “And with the surf lagoon integrated into the larger body of water, this will categorically change the way developers envision future projects.”

Surfing at Thermal Beach Club will cater to every skill level from beginners to experts at the same time thanks to the wave technology and the shape of the basin. Mirror image waves—both left breaking and right breaking—will create 10 simultaneous surf zones based on varying wave types, some reaching heights of up to seven feet and offering rides up to 35 seconds. Additionally, two standalone stationary surf zones at the opposite end of the lake will further diversify the surf offering within the amenity.

In addition to the onsite amenities within the basin and around the site such as spa and fitness center, sport courts, pro shop, clubhouse pool and swim-up bar, dining facilities and more, members will have access to multiple off-site amenities. Thermal Beach Club has approved a deal for member access to 9 PGA WEST courses and amenities, as well as quarterly car/track experience(s) at BMW Performance Center, equestrian facilities, and use of the Thermal Airport only three miles away, the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport which accommodates private and corporate jets.

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