Editor’s Note: This article is presented by our partners at Surf Park Central.
If there’s one area of the surf industry undergoing constant change, with boundaries being pushed on a daily basis, it’s surf parks. New projects are cropping up all over the world, with a variety of constantly improving technologies. As such, a yearly summit to connect, compare notes, and brainstorm solutions to industry wide problems just seems to make sense. That’s why the Surf Park Summit was created, bringing the greatest minds in the surf park industry together from around the world.
This year smashed the previous attendance record, as investors, developers, executives, and thought-leaders in the surf park world gathered to pool their knowledge, problem solve, and build connections. While there may be many different wave technologies out there, all of them are united by the common interest of advancing industry, so there’s plenty of common ground to stand on.
The annual event is held at the Scripps Seaside Forum in San Diego. Photo: John Cocozza//Surf Park Central
“Good times at the Surf Park Summit this week,” posted Chris Gallardo of Inland Surf Company. “This was my third time attending the event and each year it proves to be a worthy investment towards my surf park vision and project. As a dreamer/doer and entrepreneur the ability to stay current on the latest trends and technologies, opportunity to learn from surf park developers and operators, and to be able to network with an incredibly talented and passionate group of individuals is priceless.”
Along with the big wigs, plenty of pro surfers attended as well to give their perspective of the impact surf parks are having on the sport. The annual Breakfast of Surfing Legends, hosted by Chris Cote saw Shane Beschen, Ian Cairns, Damien Hobgood, CJ Hobgood, and Kolohe Andino speak on the importance of bringing surfing to new places around the world.
Kolohe Andino shares the stoke at the 2022 Surf Park Summit. Photo: John Cocozza//Surf Park Central
“With more surf parks opening, you can imagine a kid in Montana seeing the flyer [that says] Kolohe Andino is coming to our local park,” said Cote, likening it to having Tony Hawk show up at a local skate park to show kids how it’s done. “I’ve seen the level of progression increase so much just by seeing that in person. So, with any surfer coming to your local town, it’s incredible to see them in person and see how you’re supposed to do it.”
One topic of discussion this year was the challenges and growing pains surf parks are facing as the industry continues to boom. The future of surfing is here, with billions of dollars being invested, leading to some pushback, especially around public concerns with water usage. “Negative press around water has thrown a significant curveball,” said Surf Park Central‘s Jess Ponting. “It’s a testament of the need to get way out ahead of these issues and have water and carbon neutrality baked into plans. As well as a solid, authentic narrative of how it will be achieved.”
Surf park execs, developers, and thought leaders gather at the 2022 Surf Park Summit. Photo: John Cocozza//Surf Park Central
Sustainability was a massive topic this year, with the team from Sustainable Surf attending to share its vision for how surf parks can help raise awareness of ocean issues and support ongoing ocean conservation efforts. “We’re here to help the surf park industry figure out better decisions for sustainability through working on its carbon footprint and how to wipe that out, which can be less than a dollar per person at any park,” says Sustainable Surf co-founder Kevin Whilden. “One of the things that is really helpful for a surf park is to think about what is its connection to the ocean – can a surf park help protect the ocean as a part of the overall story of sustainability?”
Nothing but stoke for the 2022 Surf Park Awards honorees. Photo: John Cocozza//Surf Park Central
Another important aspect of the summit is the tradition of the annual Surf Park Awards, recognizing the companies and technologies pushing the envelope in surf park development. This year saw three award categories of Sustainability, Progress and Innovation, and Democratizing Access to waves. For Sustainability, UNIT Surf Pool won for its innovative “just add a body of water” standing wave tech, with Endless Surf taking second with its energy-efficient pneumatic chamber design. Progress and Innovation saw Wavegarden take first with its highly successful Wavegarden Cove and URBNSURF finish second with its surf park technology. Democratizing Access recognized ADG/EpicSurf with first place, and Alaia Bay, operated by the Alaia Group, in second.
Surf Park Summit 2023 is already in the works. To stay in the know, be sure to sign up for the Surf Park Central newsletter or become an INSIDERS member.
