Aquatic Development Group (ADG), a leading water park and recreational design, construction and manufacturing firm, has reflected on highlights from the last twelve months as the firm looks towards another promising year of projects.
The firm has seen many successes with surf shops, with a wide range of stores on the US East Coast being introduced to the innovative EpicSurf concept.
“Many thanks to Hyperflex Wetsuits and our friend, Conrad Ferla, for hosting the “Slam-O-Rama” and introducing some of the finest surf shops on the east coast to EpicSurf. Good times were had by all while these ocean surfers battled for the bragging rights on the only deep-water stationary wave made in the USA.”
Retail ambassadors for the product can now be found in key locations such as Maine and New Jersey, including Black Point Surf Shop, Nor’easter Surf Shop, Rhode Island Surf Co, Sounding Surf Co and Wave Hog Surf Shop, across an assortment of states.
International sporting excellence
EpicSurf were also hosts to the Senegalese Surfing Federation for a two-day cross-training session last year before they participated in the International Surfing Association World Surfing Games, held at Huntington Beach, California.
“The team of ten athletes and coaches had a blast on EpicSurf while maximizing reps and turns and preparing for the Paris Olympic 2024 qualifying event,” says the firm.
After experiencing EpicSurf’s deep-water stationary wave, Oumar Seye, Senegal’s first WSL surfer, champion, and now coach, said that the machine “will help train and develop surfers in so many ways, especially beneficial on days the ocean is not cooperating.”
The EpicSurf Team was on the beach as a World Games sponsor to discuss the benefits of EpicSurf as an additional training platform for ISA National Member programmes with Ian “Kanga” Cairns, a legendary big wave surfer and three-time World Champion USA Team Coach. ADG says it was vastly enjoyable to watch the top 247 surfers in the world, from 51 different countries, converge to battle for the first two slots in the Paris 2024 lineup.
While Senegal did not win any medals in Huntington Beach, ADG reports they were undoubtedly a crowd favourite, with the US and Japan winning gold.
Surfing for everyone
To make EpicSurf a secure, welcoming, and accessible event for people of all abilities, ADG teamed up with AMPSurf, Lifesong, VA Adaptive Sports, and a group of eager newbie surfers with a variety of abilities. ADG was also accompanied by Christiaan “Otter” Bailey, captain of the US Surfing Team and multiple-time world champion surfer. He is currently the only adaptive surfer to surf Mavericks and Pipeline.
As a result of this partnership, ADG has improved the surfing experience overall and created programming best practices that will be made available to EpicSurf customers.
EpicSurf was also honoured with Surf Park Central’s Innovation Award for “Democratizing Waves to More People” at this year’s Surf Park Summit in San Diego, California.
Looking forward
Through the provision of award-winning surf machines which can be used in a variety of environments both near and away from shorelines, ADG looks to continue its commitment to excellence this year.
“As leaders within the wave system design and manufacturing industry for over 50 years, we are passionate about creating an inclusive and safe surfing experience beyond the ocean while maintaining our commitment to environmentally responsible, sustainable, and people-focus practices,” says an ADG representative.
“The EPIC Promise provides a snapshot of our values, ongoing efforts, and commitment toward riding the wave of sustainability, including our recent purpose-driven partnerships with Stoke, Para Surf League and AMPSurf. We look forward to sharing more about our EPIC Promise in 2023.”
ADG recently announced that groundbreaking has started on a major new resort and waterpark which the firm will be working on for the Chickasaw Nation.
