Fabio Ferraz, along with his team leads Surfpark Resort, an ambitious project to build the largest independent surf park network spread around the world.

The concept is to create wave pools for surfing set in a family fun environment. What that pans out to look like exactly, either BSR Surf Resort barbecue fun or Far Far A Bay indoor New Jersey entertainment, well, we’ll have to wait and see. What we do know is that they developed their own wave-making tech and will open in their first park in São Paulo in 2021. We spoke with Fabio to get some background on the project.

 
What is your surfing background?
I am the Development Director at SurfPark Resort. I’m from Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I have been surfing for over 30 years and participated in amateur competitions when I was young. After I stopped competing, I wanted to continue working with surfing. Two of the three other major partners at SurfPark Resort also have more than 30 years of surfing experience.
 
What exactly is SurfParkResort?
SurfPark Resort is a water park specializing in wave pools for surfing with activities for the whole family to spend the day together. The Project was created in 2015 based on the Brazilian beach vibe that we at Surfparkresort have experienced all our lives and know so well. We intend to bring this experience to the whole world through our parks. It will be the largest independent surf park network spread around the world. Our manager, Bex Global, embraced the idea of taking this project to the global market. One of our main objectives is to take SurfPark Resorts to regions far from the coast to further popularize the sport.

Tell us about how your project will impact nearby communities
Due to the size of the project, we will have a great social and economic impact on these regions, creating new jobs directly and indirectly. We have a partnership with one of the best and oldest surf schools in Rio de Janeiro, Club de Surf Post 5, who will manage social activities (adaptive surfing and assistance to underprivileged children) as well as regular surf lessons. At the same time, we will be introducing a new sport to these regions and their surroundings that never had access to surfing while also finding new talented athletes far from the coast. These activities will be implemented in all of our units around the world.
 
What advice would you give to someone who wants to embark on this very same journey?
First of all, you have to love the sport. The surf pool market is here to stay, but it requires years of work, time, dedication, and lots of money invested, and all this just to get the initial project moving. If anyone is interested in entering this segment, you have to roll up your sleeves and start working hard.

Would you like to add anything else?
The market that exists now, could not meet our demands. This is why we have developed our own technology with a partner company. One of the characteristics of our pools is to generate simultaneous left and right waves for the same group of surfers during each session. And for you WavePoolMag reader, we hope to be in your region soon. The first Surfpark Resort is scheduled to open in the second half of 2021 in São Paulo, Brazil.