Riding the wave: the economic power of surf parks and where investment is growing

Surf parks offer a growing investment opportunity

Surfing is no longer just a coastal sport. Thanks to modern wave technology, surf parks are popping up in cities and regions far from the ocean. These parks are reshaping recreation, tourism, and real estate—and they’re attracting serious attention from investors. With outdoor sports growing in popularity and people looking for more exciting ways to stay active, surf parks are emerging as one of the most promising leisure investments today.

This article explores how surf parks create economic value, the costs and benefits involved, and where new developments are gaining momentum. Whether you're an investor or simply curious about the future of surfing, this discussion will help you understand the key business drivers behind surf parks.

The rise of surf parks

Surf parks are controlled environments where technology creates perfect, rideable waves. They allow people to learn, train, and surf year-round, regardless of weather or geography. Parks like URBNSURF in Melbourne have become leading examples of success. Since its opening in 2020, URBNSURF has welcomed over 300,000 visitors and helped more than 100,000 people learn to surf, making it the largest surf school in Australia.

There are a growing number of surf parks around the world including:

Operating Surf Parks

1. The Wave – Bristol, UK (Operating)

2. URBNSURF – Melbourne, Australia (Operating)

3. URBNSURF – Sydney, Australia (Operating)

4. Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch – Lemoore, California, USA (Operating)

5. Siam Park – Tenerife, Spain (Operating)

6. Surf Snowdonia – Wales, UK (Operating)

7. Waco Surf – Texas, USA (Operating)

8. Sunway Lagoon – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Operating)

9. O2 SURFTOWN MUC – Munich, Germany (Operating)

10. Alaïa Bay – Sion, Switzerland (Operating)

11. Palm Springs Surf Club – California, USA (Operating)

12. Wadi Adventure – United Arab Emirates (Operating)

13. Typhoon Lagoon – Florida, USA (Operating)

Planned / Under Construction Surf Parks

1. The Wave – London, UK (Planned)

2. Lost Shore Surf Resort – Ratho, Scotland, UK (Under Construction – opening 2025)

3. Bahrain Surf Park – Bilaj Al Jazayer, Bahrain (Under Construction)

4. Auckland Surf Park – Dairy Flat, New Zealand (Planned)

5. Surfland Brazil – Brazil (Planned)

6. Multiple Wavegarden Projects – Global (incl. Japan, South Korea, UK, Ireland, etc.) (Planned – 60+ in development)

The idea is simple: if you can bring the waves to the people, you can unlock a whole new market for surfing. And that's exactly what's happening, with investors now looking to expand this trend globally.

High costs, high rewards

Building a surf park isn't cheap. Key expenses include land purchase, advanced wave-generation technology, water systems, and construction of the surf lagoon. Ongoing costs involve energy use, staffing, repairs, insurance, and general maintenance. Projects like Wai Kai Surf Park in Hawaii have shown how challenging—but rewarding—this process can be.

Yet these parks also deliver long-term value. Their ability to attract steady foot traffic and support a wide range of services makes them ideal anchors for larger developments. Think hotels, restaurants, retail shops, gyms, and residential units—all built around the wave pool experience.

Revenue streams: more than just waves

Most surf parks generate income through session fees, with customers paying for access to the wave pool. But that's just the start. Parks also earn from:

• Equipment rentals (boards, wetsuits, lockers)

• Lessons and surf schools

• Food, drink, and retail sales

• Hosting events and competitions

• Membership programs and season passes

• Partnerships with fitness brands, tourism agencies, and travel companies

With so many ways to make money, it's easy to see why surf parks are becoming attractive to investors.

Investment and market growth

The global surf park market is booming. It's expected to grow at a rate of 11.5% annually, reaching $3.8 billion by 2028. Some reports suggest even higher growth, with the industry valued at $4 billion and expanding at over 20% per year.

What's driving this? Increased interest in outdoor recreation, rising spending on water sports, and the rise of "beginner surfers"—people new to the sport and looking for safe, accessible places to learn. Between 2019 and 2020, participation in surfing surged, with up to 49% of surfers having less than two years of experience.

Developers are now using surf parks as anchors for mixed-use developments. Think of them as the new ski resorts or golf communities—places where the wave is the centrepiece, surrounded by real estate, shopping, and leisure options. Examples include The Lost Shore Surf Resort in Scotland, backed by the Scottish National Investment Bank, and the Austin Surf Club in the U.S., a joint venture between Discovery Land Company and Sculptor.

Surf parks and the tourism economy

Surf parks bring big benefits to local economies. They attract both tourists and residents, create jobs, and boost spending in the community. Visitors come for a day or stay for the weekend, spending money on accommodation, dining, and entertainment. Parks can become year-round destinations that help revive areas with little existing tourism appeal.

Bahrain's upcoming surf park at Bilaj Al Jazayer is a prime example. Set within a 1.3 million square metre coastal development, the park is expected to become a key attraction in the region. Its construction has already created jobs and spurred additional infrastructure investments.

Innovation and technology

Surf park success depends heavily on wave technology. Companies like Wavegarden, Surf Lakes, and Kelly Slater Wave Co. are leading the field, developing energy-efficient systems that produce consistent, adjustable waves. These advancements are making surf parks more affordable and sustainable to operate.

Future innovations aim to cut water use, improve energy efficiency, and create waves that suit all skill levels. As these technologies mature, the barriers to entry will lower, encouraging even more investment and development.

A sustainable path forward

Many developers are also exploring how to make surf parks greener. This includes using renewable energy, recycling water, and reducing carbon footprints. As public concern about climate change grows, these eco-initiatives are likely to become standard practice—and an added selling point for guests and investors.

Additionally, surf parks offer a controlled environment that reduces the environmental pressure on natural surf spots. By giving people an alternative to coastal breaks, they can help protect fragile marine ecosystems.

Economic and social benefits

Beyond profits, surf parks could provide social value. They support community health and wellness, introduce young people to new sports, and create safe learning spaces. Schools, youth programmes, and adaptive surfing initiatives all benefit from having easy access to predictable, well-managed waves.

From an economic perspective, surf parks also improve land value. A surf park development can transform a previously unused or underdeveloped area into a hub of activity, increasing the value of nearby real estate.

Surfing into the future

The surf park industry is currently riding a powerful wave of growth. With demand for surf experiences on the rise and technologies improving every year, surf parks offer strong economic potential for investors, developers, and communities alike.

Though the costs are high, the rewards—in the form of tourism, job creation, real estate growth, and sustainable leisure experiences—are well worth the effort. As more surf parks open around the world, expect to see them become key players in the future of sport, recreation, and destination development.

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