Surf park developer Aventuur announces new executive team appointment

Global surf park developer and investor Aventuur has announced the appointment of Rupert Partridge to its executive team as Director of Product and Revenue.

Integral to the successful launch and commercialisation of URBNSURF Melbourne, Partridge joins Aventuur having previously led URBNSURF Group’s product, brand, marketing, technology, communications, research and partnership initiatives.

With over 10 years’ professional experience as a brand builder, sports marketer, commercial manager and lawyer, Partridge has been actively involved in the surf park industry since 2013.

As the largest rights holder of Wavegarden’s ‘Cove’ technology globally, Aventuur has secured exclusivities for Australia (excluding Melbourne and Sydney), New Zealand, Singapore and Fiji.  

Assembling an expert team to deliver integrated surf park developments, Partridge’s appointment adds significant experience to the business - including his relationship with the Wavegarden team and intimate knowledge of the ‘Cove’ technology.

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Aventuur, following the company having recently opened its APAC headquarters led by Andrew Ross in Perth.

Announcing the appointment, Nicholas Edelman, co-founder and Chief Executive of Aventuur, stated “it’s epic to welcome Rupe to the Aventuur team given his extensive knowledge and experience in the surf park industry. There are plenty of people that want to be involved, but few that have actual experience - and Rupe is one of few with proven capability.

“With the opening of new Wavegarden lagoons in Brazil and the Swiss Alps, the surf park space is gaining increased attention from real estate developers, landowners and sports, recreation and leisure operators. Rupe’s diverse and demonstrated skillset enables him to hit the ground running, which helps us enormously.

“Most importantly, Rupe is a great guy, a trusted pair of hands, and as passionate as you can get about delivering incredible surf experiences. We believe that he is going to be able to shape the industry positively for years to come.”

Looking forward to his new role, Partidge commented I’m stoked to join the Aventuur team, and apply my first-mover experience in creating new, incredible surfing destinations around the world.

“I’m excited to work closely with Nick and Richard, who have extensive surf resort, real estate and capital markets experience, and to be collaborating again with Andrew, and also the Wavegarden team who are specialists in delivering authentic, environmentally-sustainable surf parks.

“With the surf park industry constantly innovating, I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue shaping its evolution in a way that is respectful of surfing’s rich heritage and culture, and that benefits surfers and our local communities.”

Aventuur is currently awaiting a final decision from the Western Australian Government on its proposal to build a $70 million integrated surf park, hotel and wellness centre in Perth’s southern suburbs.

With five ‘Cove’ surfing lagoons operational across four continents, Wavegarden is the market leader in delivering authentic surfing experiences to surfers of all abilities.

Images: Rupert Partridge, Aventuur's new Director of Product and Revenue (top) and the company's concept for a surf park at Jandakot in the Perth’s south (below). Credit: Aventuur.