Victoria could soon find itself riding a new wave, as Surf Park Management launched a public survey on the idea of bringing a surf park to the region.
Surfing already has its place on Vancouver Island, with Tofino widely regarded as Vancouver Island’s capital for the sport, and Jordan River attracting those closer to Greater Victoria.
But with the Pacific Ocean’s unpredictable conditions, consistent waves aren’t always guaranteed.
That’s where the concept of a surf park comes in.
A surf park is a man-made facility that uses wave-generating technology to create surfable waves for lessons, training, and recreation. The controlled setting offers surfers of all levels an alternative to the uncertainty of ocean swells.
While surf parks have seen success in places around the globe, Skip Taylor, a partner with Surf Park Managament said Victoria’s smaller population makes it important to gather concrete data before moving forward.
Taylor added they are looking at a small market base of just under 400,000 people in Victoria, and no data exists on surfing in Canada that would show them demand levels.
"So our hope is to help show there is a strong desire for a surf park venue that would supported by both local surfers as well as those who may travel to visit."
The survey asks participants about their surfing experience, familiarity with surf parks, willingness to pay, expected usage, and even preferences for wave lengths.
It is open through Oct. 15, and participants will have the chance to enter a draw for a $500 Visa gift card.
