Tasty waves, cool buzz: Massive eTown surf park glides towards reality

St Johns Citizen | 4 June, 2025

Get stokes, wave riders.

A global surf park developer has closed on 45 acres in Jacksonville’s eTown community, clearing the way for the city’s first-ever surf park, according to a report.

Led by a group of Northeast Florida investors, the innovative attraction is slated to open in early 2028.

Surf park developer Aventuur secured the land for nearly $21.1 million from an LLC tied to the Davis family, the Jacksonville Daily Record reported.

Dubbed the Jacksonville Surf Park, the facility’s centerpiece will be a 5.5-acre Wavegarden Cove surfing lagoon that can generate up to 1,000 ocean-like waves per hour.

The park will cater to all skill levels and will include retail, food, and a boutique hotel.

Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026, pending final approvals.

Australia-based Aventuur called the buy “a major milestone in its programmatic rollout of mixed-use surf, leisure and wellbeing destinations across North America.”

The local investment consortium includes Riley Skinner, Lockwood Holmes Jr., and others, JDR reported.

“Our team’s steadfast commitment to the Jacksonville community remains the cornerstone of the project,” Skinner told the outlet. “This is a dream that’s been years in the making, and with the help of area families, surfers and the city, we’re finally bringing it to life.”

Current plans also include a beach club, event spaces, and a surfing academy.

Once erected, the facility will elevate the profile of master planned eTown, which was developed by the Parc Group.

“Jacksonville’s proud surf heritage and outdoor lifestyle make it the perfect location for our U.S. debut,” said Nicholas Edelman, Aventuur co-founder and CEO, according to JDR. “Our local partners have been instrumental in shaping this project from day one.”

Aventuur has similar projects underway in Perth, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand.