WOODFIN -A highly anticipated outdoor attraction has opened in Woodfin, with the aim of catalyzing economic development along the town's riverfront.
Taylor's Wave, a freestanding whitewater wave in the French Broad River, cost more than $4 million to create and is part of a much larger project, said Woodfin Town Manager Shannon Tuch.
"We hope that it marks a turning point in our relationship with the river, moving away from industry around the river to one maybe more rooted in outdoor recreation and wellness," Tuch told the Citizen Times Oct. 23.
The wave is part of the Woodfin Greenway and Blueway project, a $34 million project that includes the construction of five miles of greenway along the French Broad River and Beaverdam Creek. The project will
also include redone walking paths at Riverside Park, a portion of greenway that will run through the park, expanded parking, boat access, and two new picnic pavilions, Tuch said. The next phase of the project is work along the shore of the river, and that is set to be completed next spring, Tuch said.
"It's a very big deal. It shows that I think a small town can accomplish big things when they have the support of our community partners," Tuch said. "This project wouldn't be possible without all of the community support that we have. I think it's a great symbol of what we can accomplish when we all work together."
On the water
John Olup, who brought his board to surf Taylor's Wave Oct. 23, said that before Tropical Storm Helene struck Western North Carolina in 2024, he was out on the water three to four times a week. Since then, until this week, "I've barely been in the water," he said.
He said he's been anticipating the construction of Taylor's Wave for years.
"I love it. I've been here four of the five days since it's been open," he said. "As soon as I heard about it, I got excited."
His daughter, Ellie Olup, brought her kayak Oct. 23.
"It's awesome, and it's right in my backyard, so it's nice," she said. "It's in a good spot."
Another kayaker, Tatiana Miljour, agreed.
"It's super rad," she said. "Asheville has needed something that everybody can come to and enjoy together."
The grand opening
Taylor's Wave was enthusiastically unveiled Oct. 23 by town officials and other community leaders. The attraction is named after Taylor Hunt, the son of former Asheville City Councilman Marc Hunt and his wife Cat Potts. Taylor Hunt died in 2015 in a whitewater paddling accident in Ecuador.
Colin Hunt, Taylor's older brother, said during a speech at the grand opening on Oct. 23 that he and Taylor grew up around whitewater.
"It was something that we were surrounded by for most of our lives, but neither of us really fell in love with it until after high school," he said. "It was my joy to see Taylor fall in love with whitewater the same way that I did. Being four years ahead of him in the sport, it was some of the most important memories that I have with him."
He said that in the final construction phases of the project, his family placed some of Taylor's ashes in between the rocks of the main wave plate, right before it was grounded into place.
"And so when I come back to this wave, I get to spend time with my brother," he said.
Taylor's mother, Cat Potts, said in a speech that as a child, Taylor was curious, funny and immensely creative, and as he grew, she saw what a loyal friend he was. After he died, she learned from his friends that he was "a supporter and a motivator, always encouraging them to go for their dreams."
"He brought people together who might not otherwise have found one another," she said.
Marc Hunt, Taylor's father, was credited by many as one of the primary advocates for the project. He said in a speech that advocacy is easy, "because you don't really have anything on the line."
"The people that had something on the line are the people that wrote the checks, took the political risk to dive into this thing," he said. "I feel like I'm kind of a cheerleader and a spokesman at times. I think I get too much credit."
"If Taylor were with us, the wave would, of course, be named something else. But Taylor would be the one out here every afternoon and evening, teaching kids, enjoying the wave with his friends, and shredding the wave," he said. "This wave is bringing the community together, ... and at its core, that's what the wave is all about. And that's what Taylor was all about."
Kara Fohner is the public safety reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email her at kfohner@usatodayco.com or call her at 980-241-8671.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Woodfin opens new whitewater wave on French Broad
