Dallas, Texas – June 1, 2024 – Surf Park Central, the team behind the highly anticipated annual Surf Park Summit, announces the success of its first regional event, the Dallas Developers Tour presented by citywave®. Held on May 30-31, this event attracted dozens of industry leaders, developers, investors and operators, all eager to gain firsthand knowledge on the development and operations of surf-anchored venues.
Despite the unplanned thunderstorms and rain, the two-day event was a testament to the resilience and passion of the surf park community. Attendees gathered at Goodsurf in Deep Ellum, where they were treated to a full day of insightful content, expert discussions, meaningful connections and a citywave® surfing experience.
Day One: Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Triumphs
As the skies opened up, attendees converged at Goodsurf in Deep Ellum. The rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of those who came to explore the future of surf parks. The day kicked off with a captivating keynote speech by Dr. Jess Ponting, CEO of Surf Park Central, who shared exclusive data and insights on the booming surf park industry. His words set the tone for a day filled with inspiration and learning.
Industry leaders, including Andrew Limbocker, owner of Citywave USA, and Zach Shor, CEO of Goodsurf, then took the stage. Their presentation, “The Journey in Building Goodsurf along with Citywave North America,” offered a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of surf-anchored real estate. This session was followed by an engaging Q&A with Surf Park Central’s Chris Kluesener, allowing attendees to dive deeper into the intricacies of surf park development.
Rainer and Dennis Klimaschewski from citywave Global shared their experiences in “Lessons Learned Building Standing-Wave Venues Across the World,” providing insights from their global ventures. Colin Anderson from the Adaptive Training Facility also highlighted the importance of inclusivity in surf parks, showcasing how these venues can cater to surfers of all abilities.
Even with the rain, spirits remained high as attendees donned hard hats for an exclusive tour of the Goodsurf construction site. Andrew Limbocker and Zach Shor guided them through the future hotspot, sharing their vision and progress. The evening concluded with a networking session, where great food and drinks flowed, fostering new connections and collaborations. When the skies finally cleared, attendees experienced the thrill of riding the wave firsthand!
Day Two: Expanding Horizons and Building Connections
The adventure continued as attendees traveled north to Fireside Surf, powered by citywave Global technology. The day featured an engaging discussion with Billy Adams and Patton Nix, titled “From Concept to Completion: Key Takeaways from Building a Texas Surf Park.” Live presentations and a Q&A session provided a comprehensive understanding of surf park development.
A management breakout session and a facility tour offered further insights into the operational aspects of surf parks. Attendees experienced the wave themselves, followed by a delicious meal provided by the Splash Lounge.
The journey concluded with a trip to Waco Surf, a park renowned for its exhilarating ocean-like waves. This visit exemplified the potential and excitement of surf-anchored destinations, leaving attendees inspired and eager for more.
Thanks to Our Partners
This event would not have been possible without the support of our key partners:
- GoodSurf and citywave®: Offered invaluable insights and behind-the-scenes tours, making the event truly memorable.
- AssetGuard: Provided a captivating live demonstration of their proprietary protective services, showcasing their expertise in asset and infrastructure maintenance.
- Arco Murray: Highlighted their proven design-build methodology, bringing clients’ visions to life with seamless execution.
Looking Ahead
Dr. Jess Ponting remarked, “The Dallas Developers Tour confirmed for us that the surf park industry has reached a critical mass. Nearly 100 people attended across two days and three surf parks, engaging in education, networking, and a lot of fun. It was inspiring to see almost half of the attendees at their first surf park event, all making significant industry connections. That’s what success looks like from our perspective.”
Texas, now a burgeoning hub for surf parks with multiple projects underway, proved to be the perfect setting for this event. Surf Park Central is excited to continue building on this momentum, with plans already in motion to host the Surf Park Summit in San Diego this September, with more regional events soon after.
For more information about upcoming events and initiatives, visit Surf Park Central.
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