So you know over the years I've done a
few stories about wavepools and the potential they have on the surf industry. (And yes, that is Kelly Slater surfing in Irvine if you were wondering). The main drawback is the cost to build and operate the park (takes a lot of energy to make man-made waves). But over the past few years the technology has improved and we're almost a tipping point where making a wavepool water park might actually be worthwhile for some investors.
Considering all the bad news from the surf industry the last few years (K5 closing, manufacturer layoffs, Vans US Open of Surfing riot, Cory Lopez riding a WaveJet), there might actually be a glimmer of hope to inject some life into the industry. And that would be the Surf Park Summit. Created by Jess Ponting, Director of the San Diego State University Center for Surf Research (which might the be the greatest job ever), Jess has been researching over the years the benefits of surf tourism and what impact it has on a local community (i.e. think of what Encinitas would be like if it wasn't for Seaside Reef, Cardiff Reef, Swami's, etc- that's right- Fresno with an ocean). Jess has been studying the development of wavepools over the years, what it would take to make it economically feasible, and how a city and it's people could benefit from it.
So along comes the Surf Park Summit. A gathering of the tribe if you will on September 13th, where surf industry leaders, wavepool scientists, and potential investors will try to find a way to finally make the idea of real waves, in a killer setting, be beneficial to all involved. Especially the surf industry where sports like skateboarding and snowboarding (born from surfing might I add) can have X Games exposure, Dew Tour events, Street Leagues, and Olympic Gold. Where surfing of course is limited to the coast and only available to a small percentage of the population- there's only a limited supply of people that Quiksilver, Billabong, Volcom, Rip Curl, O'Neill, etc. can sell to. What would give the surf industry a shot in the arm of much needed capital? Surf parks of course. Speakers will include Fernando Aguerre- former head honcho at Reef and now International Surfing Association president, Doug Palladini- VP at Vans, Greg Webber- shaper to the stars and now president of Webber Wave Pools, Tom Lochtefeld- visionary of the Wave Loch technology, Glenn Brumage- director of business development for Surfing China, and many other key players in the growth of this concept.
Just think, the next time you are forced to visit the in-laws in Des Moines for the holidays, wouldn't it be great to get some carves in before you have to carve the turkey? (Bad joke, I know). Keep up to date on the North County Surf blog for all the latest developments.
