Last week, the 2023 Sport Industry NextGen Leaders headed to The Wave, an inland surfing destination in Bristol, for an incredible overnight experience.
Described as a ‘slice of the ocean’ in Bristol, The Wave has been built to provide a place where people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can experience health benefits and the pure joy of the water and waves.
Founded by former osteopath Nick Hounsfield, who decided to embark on the new career path due to a desire to ‘positively impact people’s health and wellbeing’ and ‘build a connection to community and the planet’, the location fitted perfectly with this year’s NextGen programme’s core themes – entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability and social change.
The Leaders benefited from a packed agenda which included a surfing lesson on the waves, a BBQ on the terrace, a 6am cold water immersion experience, a yoga lesson before breakfast, and a pub lunch in the country.
To find out more about how The Wave is so relevant to this year’s programme, the Leaders sat down for three ‘fireside chats’ with The Wave’s General Manager Jay Hookins, PR and Communications Manager Abby Richardson, and Founder, Nick Hounsfield.
Speaking about his previous career in healthcare, and The Wave’s origin, Hounsfield said, “I was really happy as an osteopath, but I realised that I wasn’t getting to the root of the main issues as to why people were not healthy and not happy.
“Most people I was treating were disconnected from their own health. People were disconnected from the environment, from nature, from being outside and the self-nourishment that provides.
“So, how can we solve that? I wanted to create somewhere where you can be next to water, eat good food, have good conversation.”
Hounsfield described seeing a “grainy image of an artificially created wave in the Basque country on YouTube” and realising that was the start of a vision that became The Wave.
“The first thing to do was get a finance director in and somebody with credibility who could put the numbers together. That creates a business model that we could investment market with.
“We had about 230 Dragon’s Den style pitches. Everyone said it was a really good idea but they all said that they’ll back the second time you do it, not the first one. But one person took the risk. One group did decided to back us. And obviously then we’re able to get this place built.”
Hounsfield also highlighted the importance of sustainability at The Wave, and how he kept that front of mind throughout the whole process.
“The single thing that helped me was the first document I ever wrote. It was with a mentor of mine, Chris Hines, who said let’s write a sustainability policy before we do anything else. Let’s map out who we are as a company, what we believe in, what we care about, and making sure that we are balancing profits, planets, and people.
“Now, we are really headstrong in our vision to show that we are not going to be swayed just purely by money. And, once we set that template out, it became clear to everyone that, to even engage with us, you have to ascribe to our values.”
“Most people I was treating were disconnected from their own health. People were disconnected from the environment, from nature, from being outside and the self-nourishment that provides.”
NICK HOUNSFIELD, FOUNDER, THE WAVE
With entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability, and social change all forming central pillars to The Wave’s own philosophy, the venue proved to perfect venue for the 2023 NextGen Leaders to learn, bond and socialise.
And even suntan…
WHAT IS SPORT INDUSTRY NEXTGEN?
Launched by Sport Industry Group in 2015, NextGen is a prestigious professional development programme that provides the best emerging talent in our industry with a tailored year-long leadership package which includes extensive training, personal development, and networking opportunities.
Find out more about The Wave and book your visit here.
Sport Industry Members can benefit from an exclusive discount to visit this unique surfing destination. Contact tom.barwick@sportindustry.biz to secure your discount code.
