It comes after huge uncertainty in the last week
The Wave surf pool at Bristol(Image: PA)
Britain’s only inland surfing destination near Bristol has announced new owners today (Saturday, June 28).
The Wave, located on the other side of the M5 near Cribbs Causeway north of Bristol, has been acquired as a part of a financial restructuring by a group of investors, who have asked Julian Topam to step into the role of CEO.
Julian has worked within the surf, music and sustainability sectors for many years – most notably founding and running Boardmasters and Vision Nine. He is the Chair of Surfing England and the Blue Earth Summit, alongside a number of other ventures.
Julian said: “I have known about The Wave since it was just an idea, and have surfed it many times since it opened in 2019.
“I have worked in the surf industry for 25+ years and in my view The Wave is an extremely important part of the UK surf community and has the ability to grow and support a diverse and inclusive surfing community.
“I want to ensure it stays that way, and thrives, for the long term.
“We appreciate there has been huge uncertainty in the last week, for so many people, especially our wonderful Wavemaker staff, customers, and partners, so a big thank you for your understanding.
“There will be a short period of transition as the company changes hands and we get up to speed, but we are doing everything we can to make this as smooth and as fast as possible, and to get The Wave open again.”
The Wave add, “Please bear with us as we work with the team to get the waves rolling again. We will be updating everyone as and when we can”.
Founder of the Wave, Nick Hounsfield(Image: PA)
It comes after The Wave and its website suddenly shut down on Thursday (June 26). Surfers with bookings had been told their bookings were cancelled, and people trying to access the website were met with a holding page saying the page they were looking for could not be found.
The majority owners of The Wave, said the company ran into trouble because of the bankruptcy of a director of another funding partner, JAR Wave.
A plan was put together to refinance The Wave, and previously made a statement apologising for the closure.
“The Wave Group team apologises unreservedly for any upset caused and is doing its best to ensure the situation can be remedied,” it said.
“The Wave Group, owners of the surf park in Bristol, has lined up a refinancing alongside its exciting London developments, which would see all creditors repaid in full within a week and is offering to continue to operate the park,” they added.