Episode 19 - Seán Young
Wavgarden is a leader in the surf park space, with multiple facilities currently open and operating, with dozens more in the works.
Seán Young, Wavegarden’s Head of Development Projects, joins episode 19 of Beyond the Ocean. Young discusses his role in helping parks go from concept to reality and the steps new surf parks must take to create a successful surfing experience. He also looks at what’s to come for Wavegarden and the surf park industry as a whole.
Episode 18 - Ryder Thomas
In an honest conversation about finances, costs, and other factors in making surf parks a reality, we hear from Ryder Thomas with Pro Swell in episode 18 of Beyond the Ocean. Thomas shares what makes surf parks jump from the sketch pad to a viable business and what blocks so many parks from ever opening in the first place.
In this episode, Thomas discusses the industry's growth and how it has become a huge investment center today, as well as where the industry is heading with park ownership as expansion continues.
Episode 17 - Kristina Chang
In the 17th episode of Beyond the Ocean, we hear from Kristina Chang, president of Westlake Wave Co. Kristina and her team work to be the leaders when it comes to creating waves for any surfer, with an emphasis on newcomers. Westlake Wave Co. aims to make waves that work for beginners and other newer surfers to create a more inviting entrance into surfing.
In this episode, Chang discusses her start in surfing and how it inspired her to lead the team at Westlake Wave Co. Not only is the wave technology company focused on teaching the next generation of surfers, but they’re also aiming to create a space-efficient and cost-effective model in the artificial wave world.
Episode 16 - Bruce Quay
Beyond the Ocean returns with Episode 16 with Bruce Quay, the COO of Aquatic Development Group (ADG), the team behind EpicSurf. Quay discusses the path that led him to become COO of a water park design and wave manufacturing company, as well as ADG’s extensive background in the industry, getting people outside and into water sports; and explains how EpicSurf and stationary surf waves will create a more inclusive surf experience at surf parks and other adventure parks.
In this episode, Quay also discusses Play Surf Ride, ADG’s concept for water-based adventure parks that incorporate everything from recreational water play and waves, to surf pools, to dry-park adventures, that provide a complete family experience. He also discusses their history with the FlowRider system and how some of ADG’s initiatives will create more surfing opportunities sooner than later.
Episode 15 - Dr. Mike Roberts
In this very special episode, we’re joined by co-host and Co-Founder of Surf Park Central, Dr. Jess Ponting. Jess is also a Professor of Sustainable Surf Tourism at San Diego State, and the Co-Founder of Stoke, a sustainability certification organization. This episode will be the first of a variety from our INSIDER series, featuring long-form expert interviews conducted by Jess along with industry leaders and change-makers. In today’s episode, Jess is joined by a friend and colleague, Dr. Mike Roberts Professor of Sociology, to discuss the evolution of surfing culture in the context of surf pools.
Waves of Simulation: Arguing authenticity in an era of surfing the hyperreal. The third generation of surf parks have had an enormous impact on surf culture since they came online in 2015. Surfing culture has always been underpinned by romantic notions of nature and the surfer’s relationship to it, but now perfect waves have been decoupled from nature and entered the realm of the hyperreal. This episode explores what it all means for surf culture. Dr. Jess Ponting and Dr. Michael Roberts invoke theorists Jean Baudrillard and Walter Benjamin in a riveting conversation about surf parks and their impacts and implications for surfing and surf culture.
Episode 14 - Damon Tudor
On this episode of the Beyond the Ocean podcast we’re joined by Damon Tudor. Damon is the CEO of URBNSURF and joined the business at the start of 2019. Having successfully led the completion and launch of URBNSURF Melbourne, the group has now commenced construction on its second location in Sydney. An experienced CEO and General Manager, Damon has spent over 25 years in a range of consumer-focused industries across goods and services, delivering several transformation projects, holding key executive roles with African & Eastern Middle East (as part of AB Inbev), Nakheel Middle East and NRMA in Australia.
In this episode of Beyond the Ocean, Damon and our host, Chris Kluesener, talk about the uniqueness of the URBNSURF experience and URBNSURF’s new Sydney location. They also dig into lessons that Damon has learned and best practices for surf park operators.
Episode 13 - Matthew Hyslop
On this episode of the Beyond the Ocean podcast we’re joined by Matthew Hyslop, Associate Director of the Destination Consulting Group at Colliers, one of the world’s largest commercial real estate firms. Matthew helps create successful destinations by consulting owners, developers, investors and operators of visitor-facing businesses. He has worked in the surf park industry for many years, most notably with the Surf Snowdonia project in the U.K. Surf Snowdonia, the world's first inland surf lagoon, located at Adventure Parc Snowdonia, and that’s powered by Wavegarden's Lagoon technology.
Episode 12 - Shaun Tomson
On this episode of the Beyond the Ocean podcast we’re joined by surfing legend, former world champion, environmentalist, and motivational speaker Shaun Tomson. The keynote speaker of Surf Park Summit 2021, Shaun Tomson, was the keynote speaker of the first-ever Surf Park Summit in 2013. In this episode of Beyond the Ocean, he and our host, Chris Kluesener, talk about the surfing revolution, the “surfer’s code”, the future of surf parks, and the importance of sustainability and safety. This is a conversation with one of the surfing greats that you don’t want to miss.
Episode 11 - Bryan Dickerson
On this episode of the Beyond the Ocean podcast we’re joined by Bryan Dickerson, creator, and editor-in-chief of WavePoolMag. Bryan and Beyond the Ocean host, Chris Kluesener, take a trip through Europe, as Bryan shares insights about the surf park experience in different European countries. Bryan tells of firsthand experiences throughout Europe while discussing the future of surf parks and wave pool technology. This episode gets in-depth, as Bryan and Chris get into the nitty-gritty of surf park and wave technology, and discuss where the industry is going.
Episode 10 - Sunshine Makarow
We’re back with Beyond the Ocean podcast with Sunshine Makarow, a former member of the US Surf Team, WSA Women’s West Coast Champion, and Founder of Surf Life for Women magazine. Sunshine sits down with host, Chris Kluesener, to discuss her unique focus on surf training, development, and progression from a pro level. Sunshine, as a former professional surfing athlete, has spent more time than most on training and coaching in surfing to improve her paddling, turns, and even her mental game in the water. This episode gets into the fun details about how surf park operators and developers can consider the impact of coaching for guests, including the unique needs of female guests who may have varied preferences from traditionally male surfing consumers.
Episode 9 - Fred Hemmings
On this episode of Beyond the Ocean Fred Hemmings, a living surfing legend deemed the "Father of Professional Surfing" and co-founder of the World Surf League. Fred and host, Chris Kluesener, take a trip through the history of surf culture as they look towards the future growth of the culture with regard to the impact brought by surf parks. Fred offers his first-hand account and behind the scenes insights of iconic and defining surf culture moments as he draws comparisons and differences to what he sees happening now with the rapid development of human-made waves.
Episode 8 - Shane Beschen
Listen in as Surf Park Central’s Chris Kluesener and Jess Ponting sit down with Shane Beschen. The group discusses surf park culture and Shane provides insight into Wai Kai, an upcoming surf park he is helping to develop in Hawaii that features City Wave technology. Shane also shares about another new development that he is involved in, Revel Surf, located in Mesa, AZ.
Episode 7 - Ross Hale
In Episode 7 of Beyond the Ocean, we are joined by Ross Hale. As a self-proclaimed tech nerd and avid surfer Ross shares deep insights into wave pool technology and the power behind the wave. He goes deep behind the tactical details of his experiences in surf parks. Additionally, Ross shares what he thinks the future will hold in terms of a best-in-class surf park experience for the surfer and their families.
Episode 6 - Patti Paniccia
We're back with Beyond the Ocean joined by Patti Paniccia (pa-nee’-cha), Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center, joins us on the podcast to share share insights on the history of surfing to help inform the next generation of surfing in surf parks. Patti was one of the top-ranked surfers during the 70s and early 80s, and was one of six women who competed on the first women’s world pro tour in 1976. She is a co-founder of pro-surfing, working as Director of the Women’s Division, alongside Fred Hemmings and Randy Rarick, to launch International Professional Surfing (IPS) which was a precursor to ASP and today’s WSL. A former CNN correspondent, Patti is also an adjunct law professor at Pepperdine Law School in Malibu where she teaches First Amendment Law, Employment Discrimination, and Gender and the Law.
Episode 5 - Paul Chutter
In this episode of Beyond the Ocean, we are joined by Paul Chutter, Chief Commercial Officers at Whitewater West. Paul serves on the executive team and oversees WhiteWater’s global business development efforts and functions, including Sales, Marketing, and Pre-Contract groups, as well as Corporate Development. As co-founder and President of Endless Surf, Paul has been a key player in the development, launch, and rapid growth of the brand within the past year. Paul shares his insights on the future of technology and human-made surfing, as well as how business leaders in this industry can stand out and succeed over time. Launched in May 2020, Endless Surf brings the next generation of inland surf experiences to the world. With its proven and reliable pneumatic wave technology, paired with the brightest, most innovative minds in the industry, Endless Surf offers the most efficiently designed surf pool on the market that provides surf parks with unrivaled return on investment opportunities.
Episode 4 - Randy Rarick
Randy Rarick has been involved with the surf industry and surf parks for over 60 years. He joins us on BTO to talk surf parks, competition, and his background. Sometimes referred to as the “Forest Gump of Surfing”, he has witnessed or had a hand in nearly every major cultural shift in the sport over the past five decades. Hawaii State Surfing Champion, World Title contestant, shaper, contest promoter, world traveler. In 1975 he co-founded the World Pro Tour (WSL), was Executive Director of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing and produced every event on the North Shore, for thirty-eight years, before retirement in 2015. Produced the Hawaiian Islands Vintage Surf Auction for ten years and is consultant to various vintage auctions on both the West and East coasts. Considered one of the best surfboard historians and restoration specialists in the World. Has traveled extensively to over 170 countries and surfed in over 60 of them. Resides at Sunset Beach on the North Shore of Oahu and still surfs on a daily basis.
Episode 3 - Tony Finn
Episode 3 is ACTION PACKED with Tony Finn, one of the original inventors of wakeboarding, co-founder of Liquid Force Wakeboards, surf park consultant to BSR Surf Resort, and exclusive North American leader for UNIT Surf Pools.
Tony Finn is widely recognized as one of the most innovative and successful Action Sports Executives of the last three decades. Tony was instrumental in getting the sport of wakeboarding off the ground and traveled around the globe multiple times promoting the sport. He has had a remarkable career promoting the sport he developed across varying brands and platforms and has successfully integrated into multiple ownership groups. He was an ESPN announcer for many years and did the X Games, Gravity Games, Hot Summer Nights and multiple other shows. He has developed multiple brands, unique marketing strategies, produced and broadcasted events, and has managed multiple acquisitions and mergers. He is renowned for the outstanding work he has done for the sport of wakeboarding as the Founder of Liquid Force Wakeboards and is now an avid member and contributor to the Surf Park community as the US Distributor for UNIT Surf Pools.
Episode 2 - Ian “Kanga” Cairns
We're back with our next episode, featuring Ian "Kanga" Cairns who is a former champion professional surfer, expert coach, and professional contest director. Ian has toured many of the leading surf parks, and discusses with our host Chris Kluesener how surf parks fit into an athletes' repertoire. In addition to winning dozens of professional surfing events in his career, Ian was incredibly influential in establishing the world professional surfing circuit as we know it today including formation of the Association for Surfing Professionals (ASP). One of Ian's roles was to develop a rating and scoring system for surf events. Ian's role today is helping to democratize access to surfing via new projects we talk about in the show, like surfing.com.