In an honest conversation about finances, costs, and other factors in making surf parks a reality, we hear from Ryder Thomas with Pro Swell in episode 18 of Beyond the Ocean. Thomas shares what makes surf parks jump from the sketch pad to a viable business and what blocks so many parks from ever opening in the first place.

In this episode, Thomas discusses the industry's growth and how it has become a huge investment center today, as well as where the industry is heading with park ownership as expansion continues.

ABOUT RYDER THOMAS:

Ryder Thomas is a partner at Swell International, an international real estate development company, as well as the founder of Pegasus Lodges, a global hospitality management company specializing in remote surfing destinations.

Previously, he led acquisitions as a Partner at Makai Ventures, a U.S.-based private equity manager focused on emerging and undervalued beachfront real estate assets in Southeast Asia and Brazil. Prior to Makai, he was an investment banker in the Financial Sponsors Group of Houlihan Lokey, a leading international investment bank, where he advised hedge funds on financial restructurings, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions, and complex valuations across industry verticals. Thomas is also an experienced attorney with significant expertise in securities, antitrust, and complex financial litigation.

Born and raised in Hawaii, Thomas splits his time between New York City and San Francisco with his wife and four children.

Pro Swell is surf, beach and lifestyle development advisors. The company is a surf park-centric advisory firm based in the US. Pro Swell is led by passionate surfers with proven experience in design, development, operation, and investment in surf/beach-inspired developments. Our vision is to produce the best surf experiences and guest satisfaction while delivering sound financial returns.

Get in contact with Pro Swell: https://pro-swell.com/

Get in contact with Ryder Thomas: ryder@pro-swell.com

ABOUT THE SHOW

Beyond the Ocean is an interview series focused on the impact of technology on the future of surfing. We speak with authors, actors, industry experts, and pro surfers about their views and experiences in, and beyond the ocean.