Inland surfing facility The Wave unexpectedly shuts down due to financial disagreement
The tranquil waters of The Wave, an inland surfing lake near Bristol, were abruptly stilled on June 26, 2025, leaving customers and staff in shock. The sudden closure came with little warning, and bookings were promptly cancelled[1][3][5].
The facility, which opened in 2019 under the visionary British entrepreneur, Nick Hounsfield, has been a popular destination for surfers of all abilities since its inception. With the capacity to generate up to 1,000 waves per hour and cater to beginners, intermediates, and expert surfers like Lukas Skinner, The Wave has welcomed over 400,000 people since its opening[2][7].
However, the closure was not due to a lack of demand or operational failure. Instead, it was a result of a "financial technicality" unrelated to the business's operations. Specifically, the closure followed the bankruptcy of a director connected to a funding partner, JAR Wave[1][3][5].
The Wave Group, the business behind the surf park, has expressed its intention to reopen the Bristol facility, pending resolution of the financial dispute[1]. The company has lined up a refinancing deal that would repay all creditors within a week and also fund initial development for a London site[1][3].
Despite The Wave Group's attempts to offer support and a full repayment to resolve JAR Wave's issues, these offers have been ignored[1]. The Group has apologised for the distress caused to customers and highlighted ongoing efforts to remedy the situation[1].
The Wave's unique selling point lies in its eco-friendly approach, with its power supply coming from solar and battery storage[6]. The surf park also prided itself on being accessible to all, including disabled visitors, and provided a valuable platform for the surfing community in the South West.
As the situation unfolds, The Wave Group is doing its best to ensure the situation can be remedied, and surfers eagerly await the day when the waves will roar once more. In the meantime, the facility's website remains mostly down, and no new bookings can be made[3][4].
[1] The Guardian, "The Wave Bristol closes suddenly amidst financial dispute," June 26, 2025. [2] The Times, "The Wave: A new dawn for surfing in the UK," October 1, 2019. [3] BBC News, "The Wave Bristol shuts with no warning," June 26, 2025. [4] The Telegraph, "The Wave Bristol: Customers left in the waves as surf park closes suddenly," June 26, 2025. [5] Sky News, "The Wave Bristol shuts: What we know so far," June 26, 2025. [6] The Wave, "Our energy," Accessed June 27, 2025. [7] The Wave, "About us," Accessed June 27, 2025.
- The tranquil shutdown of The Wave brought a halt to investments within the surfing industry, leaving many wondering about the future of this eco-friendly business.
- Despite the financial challenge, The Wave Group is focusing on refinancing options to resolve the dispute, with plans to repay creditors and develop a London site, demonstrating their commitment to both finance and business growth.
- The closure of The Wave, a popular destination for surfers of all abilities, has not been due to operational failure or a lack of demand, but instead, a financial technicality related to a director connected to a funding partner, highlighting the complexities of financial dealings within the property and stock markets.
