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Surf Park Central held its latest surf park industry-focused event from 30th September to 2nd October and has advised that the Surf Park Summit 2024 was its largest to date having brought together investors, developers, operators and technology specialists focused on the booming surf-anchored real estate industry.

This year’s event at San Diego’s La Jolla Scripps Seaside Forum included three days of networking with more presentations and conversations than ever before. Topics covered included investing, development and operating a surf park. Industries represented included everything from consulting firms to new products that could advance the construction of a wave lagoon.

While every discussion helped fuel the future of surfing, key moments truly defined the industry as it is today. Here’s a look at 10 key takeaways from Surf Park Summit 2024:

1. Surf Park Sharks: The Project Pitch - Inspired by the hit TV show, Shark Tank, this was a brand new segment for Summit. Six finalists selected from 20 entrants were selected to pitch their surf park projects to a panel of surf park investors with combined assets under management of $23 Billion. The showcase really captured the early stages of developing a surf-anchored real estate project with projects pitched from Australia, Argentina and numerous locations around the U.S. In the end, Luke Altschwager, representing the Palm Valley mixed-use project on Australia’s Gold Coast took first place and will receive $15,000 worth of prizes from Surf Park Central

2. Executive Workshop: Lessons Learned from an Amenity-Based Real Estate Developer with Replay Destinations - Surf Park Summit celebrated all the new surf park openings and groundbreakings this year. However, not every project is a success story. Replay Destinations, a leader in developing housing projects in desirable locations has a long resume of accomplishments. The organisation used this opportunity to be transparent about the struggles and eventual failure of a surf-anchored real estate development in Hawaii. The organisation’s VIP discussion gave new insights to current and future developers in navigating these ambitious developments.

3. Lessons Learned from the industry's most experienced CEOs - In another honest discussion during the VIP event, surf park veterans Craig Stoddart and Damon Tudor shared their insights from developing and operating a surf park. The two are the former CEOs of The Wave and URBNSURF. Both have moved on to consulting, at Summit, they were able to speak candidly about the industry and share advice.

4. So You Want to Build a Surf Park with Cole Cannon - A very anticipated discussion was centred around Cannon Beach, soon to be home of Revel Surf Park. Cannon Beach is a brand new Arizona development with businesses including retail and restaurants, all anchored by both a wave lagoon and a standing wave. The destination is a model for how more surf park projects could look in the future and many took note.

5. Surf Park Awards - The annual Surf Park Awards highlight the industry’s leaders in sustainability, innovation, and democratizing access to the world of surfing. Additional awards are presented to an industry leader and a people’s choice award, which is decided during the event by voting through the Summit app. This year’s winners include:

• Sustainability: The Wave, Bristol
• Innovation: VVater
• Accessibility: Cash Lambert, “Surf Therapy”
• Leadership: Damon Tudor, Think Adrenaline, Former Chief Executive of URBNSURF
• People’s Choice: EpicSurf & Aqua Creek Products

6. Enhancing Wave Lagoon Technologies with Engineering Plastics: Agru - As the industry continues to grow, there’s a great need for longtime professionals to create wave lagoons. Argu, a business focused on creating sustainable products like lining to contain water, shared how they can revolutionise wave lagoon designs and drive the future of wave technology. The presentation was eye-opening to surf park developers as they look to continue growing and expanding massive wave destinations.

7. Sincerely, Your Customer: A Candid Qualitative Case Study of 18 Surf Parks with Mike Goldys, the Surf Park Nerd - Not everyone at Summit worked in the industry. Mike Goldys may be the ultimate surf park fan and more importantly, he’s a customer. Goldys is on his way to visiting nearly two dozen surf park destinations and shared valuable feedback on his experiences from different wave technologies to costs per wave. He also shared the importance of good customer service as plenty of surf park destinations are far from inexpensive.

8. Securing Investment for Surf Park Ventures: Tips and Tricks - One of the biggest obstacles to surf park development is coming up with the money. Finding strong investors that believe in a project is not easy. However, there are steps developers can take to attract investors. This presentation took a deep dive into ways to win over investors from a panel of finance specialists that represents more than $22 billion in investment transactions.

9. VIP Evening at Tower Beach Club - Networking is king at Surf Park Summit and there was no better place to meet new industry professionals than at the Tower Beach Club VIP event. The whole Summit experience was enriched with the panoramic vistas of Mission Bay. Summit prides itself in helping people make the right connections to move surf park projects forward. In past years we’ve heard that every attendee left with a new potential business deal, and we’re confident we’ll hear the same about this year’s event.

10. Shaping the Next Generation of Surf Parks with Endless Surf - Endless Surf made headlines this year with the opening of its first wave pool at o2 SURFTOWN MUC. The company shared what’s next which includes multiple projects in the work. Many of these include real estate developments that have multiple attractions and are often anchored by a surf park. One of their biggest projects is the massive Qiddiya, which is essentially a billion-dollar city jam-packed with attractions in development in Saudi Arabia.

Surf Park Summit 2024 is in the books, but Surf Park Central is already looking ahead to the near year with a full plate of events. 2025 will include two additional events with a visit to Revel Surf Park at Cannon Beach in Arizona, USAfrom March 20 to 21 and a special Surf Park Summit Europe at o2 SURFTOWN MUC from 28th to 29th May.

Finally, Summit returns next October with a new location to be announced. There’s never been a better time to get involved with the future of surfing outside the ocean.

Interested in next year’s event? Fill out this form to stay updated

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