Layne Beachley named as one of two new URBNSURF board members

Surfing lagoon operator URBNSURF Group Pty Ltd has announced the appointment of two new board members - Layne Beachley, the seven-time world champion and current Chair of Surfing Australia, and Nigel Allfrey, former Chief Executive of Impact Investing Pty Ltd, the Australian company acquired by global fund manager BlackRock.

With Beachley and Allfrey having both participated in the URBNSURF Sydney capital raise helping to secure the $55 million funding for the Sydney facility - which is set to commence construction this month - the high profile pair are seen as expanding the board’s skillset.

Announcing the appointments, URBNSURF Chief Executive, Damon Tudor stated “we are thrilled to have Layne and Nigel onboard to help propel the group and work cohesively with our other board members on the business and specifically the Sydney project, which will be accessible by over two million Sydney residents in under 30 minutes.

‘“We are excited to finally be delivering on our vision of being a multi-park operator. The potential for the Sydney facility is substantial and these new appointments bolster URBNSURF’s industry knowledge and expertise, particularly in the world of surfing.”

Despite COVID-19 restrictions and forced closures, the privately owned Australian company has seen a continuing strong appetite for surfing with URBNSURF’s Melbourne park selling over 200,000 sessions to date.

Beachley commented “access to surfing, learning in a safe and controlled environment, and the joy the experience of surfing brings, has seen an exponential growth in surf parks like URBNSURF around the world. I am so excited to come on board as a director at URBNSURF and help introduce the wonderful world of surfing to more surfers, both young and old.”

Construction of URBNSURF Sydney will commence with ground preparation work complying with COVID-19 restrictions at Sydney Olympic Park.

The lagoon, similar in size to the Sydney Cricket Ground and located at the Hill Road facility, is only 14 kilometres west of Sydney's CBD and is expected to see up to 300,000 guests catch perfect waves each year.

Beachley and Allfrey join the existing board which comprises Simon Bayley, Chair, who successfully completed the development of URBNSURF Melbourne, David Wakeley, former Chief Executive of Virgin Money and Alex Hone, Managing Partner of the Realside Financial Group.

URBNSURF Sydney is scheduled to open in early 2023.

Image: Layne Beachley. Credit: URBNSURF.