When we mention a real estate developer, there are stereotypes, and it’s understandable if we drift toward Rodney Dangerfield’s character in Caddyshack. Along the same thread of ’80s cinema stereotypes, we have the surfer stereotype of Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Surfer-developer David Likins is proudly neither. Well-spoken, centered, and deeply knowledgeable on all things wave pools, we spoke about real estate development and club operations, all within the context of surfing. David develops and operates surf-centered real estate and club projects. He describes his work as figuring out where artificial wave facilities can function as part of a larger business, especially in residential communities and private clubs. That includes evaluating land, working...

When we mention a real estate developer, there are stereotypes, and it’s understandable if we drift toward Rodney Dangerfield’s character in Caddyshack. Along the same thread of ’80s cinema stereotypes, we have the surfer stereotype of Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Surfer-developer David Likins is proudly neither. Well-spoken, centered, and deeply knowledgeable on all things wave pools, we spoke about real estate development and club operations, all within the context of surfing. David develops and operates surf-centered real estate and club projects. He describes his work as figuring out where artificial wave facilities can function as part of a larger business, especially in residential communities and private clubs. That includes evaluating land, working...