The Wave in Bristol Acquired by New Owners After Sudden Closure
The Wave, an inland surfing destination in Bristol, UK, has recently changed hands after its unexpected closure on Thursday (26 June).
According to the BBC, The Wave has been acquired by a company named Sea Level Wave Company Ltd, as announced by The Wave’s CEO Hazel Geary on Friday.
The surfing attraction shut down abruptly, cancelling all bookings after facing technical insolvency.
In a recent blog post, The Wave revealed that it has been taken over “as a part of a financial restructure by a group of investors.”
This group has appointed Julian Topham as the interim CEO. Topham is the founder of the Boardmasters surf festival and runs the Vision Nine entertainment business.
Topham, who also chairs Surfing England, expressed his long-standing connection to The Wave, stating: “I have known about The Wave since it was just an idea, and have surfed it many times since it opened in 2019.”
“With over 25 years in the surf industry, I believe The Wave is a vital part of the UK surf community and has the potential to foster a diverse and inclusive Bristol surfing community.”
“My goal is to ensure it remains a thriving hub for the long term.”
The Wave Announces Interim CEO
Discussions regarding the immediate future of The Wave are still in progress, with no updates on a reopening date as of yet.
Topham stated: “We understand there has been significant uncertainty over the past week for many, especially our dedicated Wavemaker staff, customers, and partners. Thank you for your patience.”
“There will be a brief transition period as the company changes ownership, but we are committed to making this process as smooth and swift as possible to reopen The Wave.”
