In 2025, Surf Park Central launched a young professionals discount for our annual Surf Park Summit. The program is aimed at those in school or who are just entering the workforce to jumpstart their surf park career.
Not only does it help those new to the industry boost their careers, but we also aim for the program to help meet the demand for a workforce that will drive the surf park industry’s growth.
Surf Park Central spoke with Drew Van Amberg, who attended in 2025 and has since landed a job at Atlantic Park for summer 2026.
Here’s what he had to say about the program.
Surf Park Central: Tell us about your experience at Surf Park Summit.
Drew: My experience at the Summit was amazing. The first day, kicking off at Atlantic Park, was perfect, with attendees getting into surf sessions while others were connecting on the beach. The following two days, I attended various panel discussions discussing important topics regarding operations, development, and safety. The breaks, lunches, and happy hours were perfectly scheduled to give time for people in the industry to network and get to know each other. I learned a ton from the discussions, as well as had a lot of meaningful connections with people throughout the event. Couldn’t have asked for a better event!
Surf Park Central: How did attending Surf Park Summit help your career?
Drew: Attending the Summit allowed me to connect with the entire surf park community in the span of 3 days. I went from being a clueless college student who was interested in surf parks to being fully immersed in the surf park world. I learned a ton from the event, with panel discussions that included top players in the industry talking about a range of topics. Not only did I learn a ton, I was able to land a job as a maintenance technician for the summer at Atlantic Park thanks to connections I made at Summit. Surf Park Summit is truly the best event to attend if you are interested in getting into the industry and don’t know where to start.
Surf Park Central: What advice do you have for this year’s young professionals attending Summit?
Drew: The best advice I can give to incoming young professionals is to ask a lot of questions. I learned the most from one-on-one conversations after panel discussions, as well as made the most connections by walking up to people and introducing myself. Everybody at the summit is stoked and loves to talk about their projects. Don’t be shy and have fun!
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