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OUR VISION: extends beyond the boundaries of the ocean. We aspire to cultivate a global community passionately dedicated to propelling the growth and advancement of surf parks.
OUR MISSION: is to educate, connect, and support visionaries ready to make waves. We strive to foster an environment that nurtures and accelerates the growth and development of engineered surf destinations across the globe.
Surf Park Central was founded in 2012 by John Luff, a successful surf park developer and industry expert, and Dr. Jess Ponting, a Professor of Sustainable Surfing Tourism from San Diego State University, with a mission to accelerate the successful growth of surf parks. In September 2013, Surf Park Central hosted the first ever Surf Park Summit in Laguna Beach, California.
What was then a small gathering of dedicated investors, surfers and wave engineers intent on creating the ideal surfing waves for man-made wave pools, has now grown into a full-blown industry with over 200 surf parks in development worldwide.
Since the first Summit we’ve cemented ourselves as the go-to resource for all surf park and wave pool news and information with a growing loyal network of 300,000+ followers. Our INSIDERS® membership, audience, and contributors consist of real estate developers, investors, retailers, resort owners and operators, action sports enthusiasts, professional surfers, entrepreneurs, wave technology providers, and professional service companies and industry stakeholders around the world.
John, a Beach Street Development & Desert Wave Ventures founding partner, is one of the few people in the world with over a decade of experience working in the surf park industry. Before his work in surf parks, he also has over a decade of experience working in the hospitality and resort industry under flags…
Dr. Jess Ponting is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Center for Surf Research at San Diego State University, where he founded the world’s first Center for Surf Research. He is also the Executive Director of STOKE, a sustainability certification for surf parks, and a Partner and Head of Research at Surf Park Central…
As the only event dedicated exclusively to the surf park industry, the annual Surf Park Summit is the best place to connect with key industry players and gain access to the insights and knowledge that are critical for success in this rapidly growing industry.
Every year, Surf Park Summit brings together global industry leaders from more than 200 companies to work together to create the future of surfing outside the ocean.
