Beyond the Ocean

Beyond the Ocean is an interview series exploring the future of technology and its impact on surfing, especially surf parks which allow people to ride waves many miles outside the ocean. We speak with industry leaders, surf park operators, authors, actors, professional surfers, and other influencers who help us shape up the conversation around wave technologies and other innovations that are changing the ways people catch waves in, and beyond, the ocean

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.

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.

On this episode of Beyond the Ocean we are joined by Fred Hemmings, a living surfing legend deemed the "Father of Professional Surfing" and co-founder of the World Surf League. Fred and Beyond the Ocean 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 accounts and behind the scene 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.

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.
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. This is a great conversation with one of the leading surf park operators.
At Surf Park Summit 2021 this year, URBNSURF took home three of the six awards in the first-ever Surf Park Awards, voted on by consumers.