Asheville has always understood the magnetic pull of moving water.
Mountain streams tumble through Pisgah National Forest. Waterfalls disappear behind curtains of mist. The French Broad River bends through the city, carrying paddlers, artists, neighborhoods and stories along its banks.
Now, a new chapter is beginning to take shape in that current.
Just north of downtown Asheville, an ambitious new river attraction called Taylor’s Wave is nearing completion on the French Broad River in Woodfin. Designers created Taylor’s Wave as a world-class attraction for river surfers and freestyle kayakers. Project leaders expect it to become one of Western North Carolina’s most distinctive outdoor experiences.
Part athletic arena, part riverfront gathering place and part regional renewal project, Taylor’s Wave offers another compelling reason to place Asheville near the top of the 2026 travel list.
And travelers will not need to ride the wave to feel its energy.
What Is Taylor’s Wave?
Crews are building Taylor’s Wave directly into the bed of the French Broad River beside Riverside Park in Woodfin. The carefully engineered feature will create a permanent whitewater attraction.
Rather than operating as an artificial pool or mechanically powered surf attraction, the structure will use the river’s natural flow. A ledge made from natural rock and concrete will shape the moving water into a continuous standing wave, allowing skilled kayakers and river surfers to practice turns, spins, flips and other freestyle maneuvers without traveling downstream.
Engineers tested the design through physical modeling at a hydraulics laboratory at Czech Technical University in Prague. Project planners designed the feature for intermediate and advanced paddlers while preserving safe passage for fish, wildlife and river users who bypass the wave.
When complete, it will be the first purpose-built whitewater wave of its kind on the French Broad River. It will also be free and open to the public.
When Will Taylor’s Wave Open?
Taylor’s Wave is currently under construction and is not yet officially open to the public.
Work began in 2024 but was interrupted following Tropical Storm Helene. Construction resumed in 2025, with the first phase completed in April 2026 and the second phase beginning in May.
The Town of Woodfin currently anticipates completing the wave by September 2026. Because construction schedules can shift with weather and river conditions, travelers should check the town’s official project updates before planning a visit.
That evolving timeline is part of what makes this an interesting moment to watch. Taylor’s Wave is not simply another attraction being added to an established tourism corridor. It is a new landmark emerging in real time.
More Than a Wave
The attraction is one piece of the broader Woodfin Greenway and Blueway Project, a long-term plan reimagining the French Broad River corridor between Asheville and Woodfin.
The larger project includes Riverside Park improvements, new greenway connections, restored riverbanks, wetlands, public recreation areas and links between several riverfront destinations. Future phases are expected to connect Silver-Line Park, Riverside Park and The Mill at Riverside while moving toward a broader connection with Asheville’s River Arts District.
The full greenway system will take several more years to complete. Riverside Park’s wider expansion is currently targeted for 2027, while additional greenway work is expected to continue through 2029.
Taylor’s Wave will be among the project’s first major focal points.
It has also been designed with spectators in mind. Planned terraced viewing areas will give visitors a place to watch paddlers work the wave, creating the potential for competitions, demonstrations and riverfront events.
Local tourism leaders have already discussed the possibility of attracting national and international paddling competitions to the area. The project’s appeal, however, reaches beyond elite athletes. It is intended to become a gathering point for locals, visitors, families, photographers and anyone curious enough to follow the sound of rushing water.
The Story Behind the Name
Taylor’s Wave was named in memory of Taylor Hunt, an accomplished paddler who died during a whitewater accident in Ecuador in 2015.
His family has played an important role in supporting and advancing the project, helping transform a deeply personal connection to whitewater into a public space designed for future generations of river users.
That story gives the attraction a meaning beyond recreation. Taylor’s Wave honors the adventurous spirit behind the sport while creating a place where community, river conservation and outdoor culture can meet.
Can Beginners Ride Taylor’s Wave?
Taylor’s Wave is being designed primarily for intermediate and advanced river surfers and kayakers. It should not be treated as a traditional swimming attraction or an entry-level water park.
River conditions are dynamic, and whitewater sports require appropriate experience, equipment and judgment. New paddlers should seek professional instruction or book an outing with a qualified local guide before attempting challenging river features.
For most visitors, especially at first, the best way to experience Taylor’s Wave may simply be to watch.
The standing wave will create an unusually accessible opportunity to see skilled paddlers perform repeated maneuvers in one location. Unlike a standard whitewater rapid, where kayakers pass quickly downstream, a surfable wave allows athletes to remain in place and work against the current.
The result should be part sport, part choreography and part riverside spectacle.
Why Taylor’s Wave Matters for Asheville
Asheville is already known for the Blue Ridge Parkway, mountain trails, waterfalls, breweries, restaurants and a deeply rooted arts community.
Taylor’s Wave adds a different dimension to that identity.
It positions the Asheville area as an emerging river-sports destination while drawing attention to a section of the French Broad that has historically been shaped by industry. The surrounding greenway and park plans seek to restore portions of that riverfront and create new public access to the water.
The project also tells a larger Asheville story: outdoor recreation is becoming increasingly connected to community recovery, environmental restoration and regional economic renewal.
Taylor’s Wave is not replacing the Asheville travelers know. It is widening the frame.
Visitors can still spend the morning exploring downtown galleries, the afternoon driving into the Blue Ridge Mountains and the evening lingering over dinner. Soon, they may also watch river surfers carve across a permanent whitewater wave only a short drive away.
A Curated Taylor’s Wave Weekend
The arrival of Taylor’s Wave makes it possible to build an Asheville itinerary that moves between river, city and mountain without asking travelers to choose only one.
Day One: Arrive in Downtown Asheville
Check into The Restoration Asheville and settle into a spacious suite in the center of downtown.
Spend the afternoon exploring Asheville on foot. Browse independent bookstores, locally owned shops and galleries before returning to the hotel for a cocktail at The Observatory.
From the rooftop, the mountains form a calm backdrop to the evening. Below, downtown Asheville carries on with live music, restaurants and the particular creative hum that has long defined the city.
Enjoy dinner at The Watch, then descend to The Draftsman for local beer, games and late-night entertainment.
Day Two: Follow the French Broad
Begin with coffee and breakfast before heading north toward Woodfin.
Once Taylor’s Wave is officially open, experienced paddlers can make arrangements to ride the feature with appropriate equipment and local guidance. Everyone else can explore the riverfront and watch the action from designated public areas as access becomes available.
Continue the day by following the French Broad River south toward Asheville’s River Arts District. The neighborhood’s working studios, murals, galleries and independent businesses offer a creative counterpart to the morning’s outdoor energy.
Stop for lunch nearby, explore the district and return downtown before evening.
Day Three: Trade the River for the Ridge
Dedicate the final morning to the Blue Ridge Parkway or a nearby mountain trail.
The contrast is one of Asheville’s greatest luxuries. Within a single getaway, travelers can move from a river wave to an artist’s studio, from a rooftop bar to a forest overlook.
Return to The Restoration for one more unhurried afternoon before beginning the journey home.
Where to Stay Near Taylor’s Wave
Travelers visiting Taylor’s Wave will have several lodging options throughout Asheville and Woodfin.
For those who want to pair the outdoor experience with dining, culture and a walkable city stay, downtown Asheville makes an especially appealing base.
The Restoration Asheville places guests close enough to explore the French Broad River corridor while keeping the rest of the destination outside the front door. Its central location makes it possible to experience Taylor’s Wave during the day, then return to downtown restaurants, galleries, cocktails and live entertainment without building the entire trip around the car.
The hotel’s all-suite accommodations are also well suited to adventure travel. There is room to unpack, recharge and spread out after a day outdoors, along with on-site dining for evenings when another reservation feels like one decision too many.
The Guest Curator team can help travelers shape a broader Asheville itinerary around current access, seasonal conditions and personal interests.
Asheville’s Next Wave Is Already Building
It is tempting to think of a new attraction as a finished object: a ribbon cutting, an opening date and another pin added to the map.
Taylor’s Wave feels more fluid than that.
It belongs to a much larger transformation of the French Broad River corridor. Its story includes outdoor sport, environmental restoration, public space, storm recovery and a family’s determination to build something meaningful in memory of someone they loved.
By the time the first official riders enter the wave, the attraction will already represent years of planning, engineering and community investment.
For visitors, it will offer something refreshingly simple: another reason to get close to the river and see Asheville from a new angle.
The mountains may have placed Asheville on the map.
The river is beginning to redraw it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taylor’s Wave
What is Taylor’s Wave near Asheville?
Taylor’s Wave is an engineered standing whitewater wave being constructed in the French Broad River beside Riverside Park in Woodfin, just north of Asheville. It is designed for river surfing and freestyle kayaking.
Is Taylor’s Wave open?
Taylor’s Wave is not yet officially open. The Town of Woodfin currently targets project completion by September 2026, although the schedule may change based on construction, weather and river conditions.
Where is Taylor’s Wave located?
Taylor’s Wave is located beside Riverside Park on Riverside Drive in Woodfin, North Carolina, along the French Broad River.
Will Taylor’s Wave be free?
Yes. Town officials have said the wave will be free and open to the public once construction is complete and the site is approved for use.
Can beginners use Taylor’s Wave?
The feature is intended primarily for intermediate and advanced paddlers and river surfers. Beginners should seek professional instruction and local guidance before entering the wave.
Can you visit Taylor’s Wave without kayaking?
Yes. The project includes plans for spectator areas, making the attraction appealing to visitors who want to watch kayakers and river surfers without entering the water.
Why is it called Taylor’s Wave?
The wave is named in honor of Taylor Hunt, an experienced paddler who died in a whitewater accident in 2015. His family has helped champion and support the project.
Is Taylor’s Wave part of a larger park?
Yes. Taylor’s Wave is part of the Woodfin Greenway and Blueway Project, which includes an expanded Riverside Park, river restoration, wetlands and new greenway connections.
Where should I stay when visiting Taylor’s Wave?
Downtown Asheville provides convenient access to the Woodfin river corridor as well as the city’s dining, arts and entertainment. The Restoration Asheville offers all-suite accommodations, on-site dining and a central downtown location.
Plan Your Asheville Adventure
Discover the newest chapter of Asheville’s outdoor story, then return to an all-suite retreat in the heart of downtown.
