Press release from Aventuur:
Jacksonville is one step closer to having its first surf park, with global developer Aventuur and an experienced group of local partners today announcing a unique, world-class destination is coming soon to eTown.
A high-quality site has been secured in eTown, a masterplanned community located off State Road 9B on the Southside of Duval County being developed by The PARC Group. The Jacksonville Surf Park will deliver a sustainable surf park community authentic to North Florida, providing quality sport, recreation, hospitality and tourism amenities that celebrate the region’s surfing heritage, culture, and outdoor coastal lifestyle.
At the heart of the community is a 56-module Wavegarden Cove lagoon, offering unparalleled surf, leisure and wellbeing experiences for all ages and abilities, delivered consistently in a safe, controlled environment. Alongside the surfing lagoon, the surf park will also feature a high-performance surf academy, boutique hotel, health and wellness center, beach club, quality food and beverage offering, retail stores and event space. The phased masterplan allows for an exciting mix of entertainment, retail, multifamily residential and green spaces in the future.
Aventuur Co-Founder and CEO Nicholas Edelman said he was delighted to reach this important milestone.
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring the Wavegarden to the Jacksonville community. We met our local partners in March 2022, and admire the passion they have for both surf and the city of Jacksonville. We have built an incredible amount of trust between our partners and The PARC Group, and we are extremely proud of the site we have secured for the development.”
“At Aventuur, we truly believe in the positive impact these developments can have on the health and wellbeing of a community, and the enjoyment that surfing can generate. In delivering the Jacksonville Surf Park, we look forward to supporting grassroots surfing, working with charitable organizations, and building on our relationships with local government to help them increase employment opportunities and improve the quality of life for residents,” Mr Edelman said.
Alongside Aventuur, the local general partnership (GP) consists of respected, highly qualified multi-generational developers, engineers and contractors who are passionate about the Jacksonville community, and surfing. Among the GP, Lockwood Holmes, Jr., Riley Skinner and Hawley Smith are committed to delivering a surf park that is by Jacksonville, for Jacksonville.
“My partners and I have travelled across the United States to surf multiple wave pools, each time returning home with the dream of delivering this same experience for our North Florida community,” said fellow GP member Brad Davis, Senior Vice President of Prosser | PrimeAE.
“For nearly a decade we have researched, planned and strategized to bring this amenity to our town, but were unable to deliver it on our own. This all changed when Aventuur secured the Wavegarden rights for Jacksonville.”
“Together, Aventuur and the GP combine the sophistication of an experienced surf park developer and operator with the local expertise of a leading Jacksonville team. Collectively we aim to deliver a development that celebrates North Florida’s rich surfing history and culture, and serves the community by providing a new world-class wave and wellness amenity.”
PARC Group President Chris Pilinko also shares in the excitement for the new surf and wellbeing destination coming to eTown.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Jacksonville Surf Park to eTown, as it aligns with our vision of creating a vibrant, sustainable community that fosters outdoor recreation, wellness, and connection. This world-class destination not only enhances the lifestyle opportunities for our community but also reflects the spirit of innovation and engagement that eTown was founded on. We look forward to the positive impact it will bring to North Florida and our community,” Mr Pilinko said.
Enhancing physical and mental wellbeing is a core focus of Aventuur’s mission. Designed having regard to “blue health” principles, the Jacksonville Surf Park will provide a variety of spaces for individuals and families to enjoy the water, being outdoors and among nature. Curated mixed-use amenity will also support community growth, including the formation of youth, social surfing and activity groups, fostering connections between residents and visitors. The park will provide waves, surf instruction, fitness training and physical recovery tailored to suit all levels, from first-timers and junior surfers through to elite athletes. Mental wellness, water safety, resilience and surf therapy programs will further encourage guests to develop healthy minds alongside healthy bodies.
Subject to further regulatory approvals, construction is expected to commence in 2026, ahead of the Jacksonville Surf Park opening to the public in the fourth quarter of 2027.
For more information, visit aventuur.com.
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