From Staff Reports

WOODFIN, N.C. — Taylor’s Wave is officially open on the French Broad River in Woodfin.

Following is an overview along with location information:

• Location: Adjacent to Riverside Park along Riverside Drive in Woodfin, just north of Asheville and the Craggy Bridge.

• Activity: A man-made, engineered whitewater feature built with concrete and boulders designed for river surfing and freestyle kayaking.

• Cost: Estimated at $4.8 million, funded through 2016 town bonds, the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, the Friends of the Woodfin Greenway and Blueway, and private donations.

• Design: Built by S2O Design and Engineering, featuring a natural-looking ledge, fish and wildlife passage, and a bypass route for other river users.

Following is the project/’s background and timeline:

• Tribute: Named in honor of Taylor Hunt, an experienced local whitewater paddler who died in an accident in Ecuador in 2015; the project was championed by his father, former Asheville Vice Mayor Marc Hunt.

• Construction: Started in June 2024, delayed by Tropical Storm Helene in September 2024, resumed in 2025, and completed in October.

• Grand opening events: A formal grand opening and reception was held on Oct. 23 at the French Broad River Academy’s South Campus at 1424 Riverside Drive.