How our work with Surf Park Central helped educate emerging
accessibility standards at Surf Park Summit
By Brian Chandler, APR – Founder & CEO
At Surf Park Central’s Summit in November, one of the most important conversations went beyond wave technology and operations. It focused on accessibility and the expanding role surf parks can play in supporting well-being and inclusion.
As a member of the Surf Park Central Accessibility Committee, I assisted my colleagues on the committee in preparing a presentation and developing a white paper focused on emerging trends in surf park accessibility for the summit: Unlocking New Waves of Well-Being: Integrating Surf Therapy into the Future of Wave Pool Operations. While the content was shaped collaboratively by the full committee, I supported the effort through editorial review, refinement and graphic design of the piece.
The paper reflects a clear shift underway in the industry. Advances in wave pool technology are creating controlled, repeatable environments that make surf therapy and adaptive programming more accessible than ever before. What was once limited by geography and conditions can now be delivered consistently, safely and at scale.
One of the most important takeaways is that accessibility is not just a social consideration, it is a strategic one. Surf parks that integrate adaptive and inclusive programming are better positioned to build community trust, form partnerships with healthcare and nonprofit organizations, and generate meaningful earned media relations and PR. Inclusion, when done intentionally, becomes both a community asset and a visibility driver.
The white paper also outlines practical considerations for implementation, from facility design and staff training to program structure and outcome measurement. These elements are critical for credibility with partners, regulators and media alike.
My involvement with the Surf Park Central Accessibility Committee reflects our belief that accessibility is becoming central to long-term success in this space. Surf parks that lead on inclusion are shaping not only better programs, but stronger narratives around who surfing is for and why these facilities matter.
I’d like to recognize the following Accessibility Committee members that not only presented during the summit, but also made the white paper possible:
Harmony Lesch – Business Development Specialist at Aqua Creek Products (presenter)
Julie Kline – Director of Sales & Marketing at Aquatic Group Development (presenter)
Kris Primacio – CEO of International Surf Therapy Organization
Donald Guerrazzi – Customer Success & Operations Manager at Surf Park Central
Have questions? Reach out to me at surfparkpr@commonwealth-pr.com.
