Aventuur chose Jacksonville for its first North America inland surfing park for three key reasons, all connected to the waterfront and the beaches and surf of the Atlantic Ocean.
Chief Revenue Officer Rupert Partridge said Oct. 1 that:
• Jacksonville, St. Augustine and the surrounding area “has a well-established history” and rich cultural connection with surfing.
• The area has a year-round favorable climate.
• Northeast Florida offers a strong outdoor and coastal lifestyle.
“We really appreciate the opportunity to become a meaningful part of the Jacksonville community and deliver a venue and experiences that are loved by the people of Jacksonville,” he said, be they lifelong or first-time surfers.
“We chose Jacksonville as an optimal market to deliver a Wavegarden based on these factors.”
Aventuur has offices in Australia and Los Angeles, with two surfing parks in development in Australia and New Zealand, both expected to open in 2027.
Construction is expected to start on the Jacksonville Surf Park in 2026, pending approvals, and open to the public in the fourth quarter of 2027.
The financial investment structure was not announced.
Partridge said the Aventuur team looked at a range of markets in North America to figure which would be the most attractive for a surf park. Jacksonville crested.
In addition to the surfing community, Aventuur's surf park destinations also appeal to “people who might not be surfers but have a personal interest level in water activities such that they might want to give it a go.”
Aventuur announced Oct. 1 it will develop the 55.27-acre Jacksonville Surf Park along Etown Parkway, off of Florida 9B, in the master-planned eTown community in south Jacksonville.
Partridge said the “commercial arrangements” are confidential.
The PARC Group is developing eTown on behalf of the Davis family, which owns the property.
PARC said the Jacksonville general partnership in the surf park consists of multigenerational developers, engineers and contractors.
Partridge said the Aventuur team, comprising Aventuur’s co-founder and CEO Nicholas Edelman, Director of Surf and Sustainability Adrian “Ace” Buchan, Head of Development North America Thomas Rubel and Associate Director of Development North America Jarrod Neumann, visited Jacksonville last week to spend time with the Northeast Florida partners - Lockwood Holmes Jr., Riley Skinner, Hawley Smith and Brad Davis - and the Jacksonville surfing community.
“In terms of the development at this stage the plan is to deliver a sustainable and vibrant surf park,” Partridge said.
The PARC Group announced Oct. 1 that the heart of the project 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.”
Along with the surfing lagoon, the announcement says the surf park will feature a high-performance surf academy, boutique hotel, health and wellness center, beach club, quality food and beverage offerings, retail stores and event space.
Partridge said the phased master plan will allow for entertainment, retail and mixed-use residential development in the future.
“That is something we are exploring with our partners,” he said.
Partridge was not part of it but said the Aventuur group visited Jacksonville last week and met with Holmes, Riley, Smith and Davis as well as members of the surfing community.
Along with other activities, “they shared some waves.”
