Jacksonville Approves Rezoning for Surf Park Development
City Council Greenlights eTown Surf Park
Florida – America’s hotbed of dedicated surfers, lackluster surf, booming developments and failed wave pool projects is turning a corner in surf park development. After KSWaveCo., Disney and others have abandoned the creation of new surf spots, it now looks like a perfect storm for a wave pool boom in the Sunshine State.
This week the Jacksonville City Council has approved rezoning for a 55.27-acre surf park development in eTown. The decision allows global surf park developer Aventuur to move forward with plans for artificial waves in Northeast Florida. While Aventuur has focused on Perth Australia and other Southern Hemisphere locations, this is their first USA targeted wave pool.
Florida media outlets reported that on Feb. 25, 2025 the council voted 18-0 to change the site’s zoning from Commercial Community General-1 to Planned Unit Development (PUD). This adjustment permits up to 3,500 residential units and 3.6 million square feet of nonresidential space. The project is part of eTown Village Center West, a 237.4-acre mixed-use development. A 229-unit townhome community is already under construction within the site.
Plans for the Jacksonville Surf Park
Aventuur, in collaboration with local partners, has outlined plans for the Jacksonville Surf Park. The facility will feature a 56-module Wavegarden Cove surf lagoon as its centerpiece. In addition, the development will include a surf academy, boutique hotel, health and wellness center, beach club, retail spaces, restaurants, and event venues.
Future phases will introduce entertainment facilities, additional retail, multifamily housing, and green spaces. According to Aventuur, the project aligns with North Florida’s surfing heritage and outdoor coastal lifestyle.
Aventuur Leadership and Local Support
Aventuur Co-Founder and CEO Nicholas Edelman said they couldn’t be more excited to bring a wave pool to the Jacksonville area.
“We met our local partners in March 2022 and admire the passion they have for both surf and the city of Jacksonville,” said Nick. “We have built an incredible amount of trust between our partners and The PARC Group, and we are extremely proud of the site we have secured for the development.”
Edelman added that Aventuur aims to support grassroots surfing initiatives, partner with charitable organizations, and collaborate with local government. These efforts will help create employment opportunities and enhance community well-being.
The local general partnership (GP) also includes developers, engineers, and contractors. Among them, Lockwood Holmes, Jr., Riley Skinner, and Hawley Smith emphasized their commitment to delivering a surf park that is “by Jacksonville, for Jacksonville.”
Expanding Outdoor Recreation in Jacksonville
Jacksonville boasts the largest urban park system in the United States, covering 80,000 acres. The city features 405 municipal parks, seven state parks, and two national parks. With the planned wave pool and surf park, residents and visitors will have an additional outdoor recreation option.
Construction Timeline
The project is scheduled to break ground in 2026. If construction proceeds as planned, the surf park will open in late 2027.
Sources: Jacksonville Daily Record & WavePoolMag
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