We have just received B Corp status – making us the first surf park in the world to receive this hard-to-achieve accreditation. We join 2,000 other B Corps in the UK, around 120 of which are in Bristol, that have completed the rigorous process to become a B Corporation.
Unlike traditional business models that focus on profit, B Corps subscribe to the triple bottom line framework, which considers not only financial returns but also social and environmental outcomes. The accreditation recognises the work The Wave has done to date and – most importantly – helps our team to identify where we can continue to improve going forward.
Commenting on the achievement, The Wave Founder, Nick Hounsfield, said:
“One of the first things we did early on in the journey to create The Wave was draft a Sustainability Policy. Way back in 2012 we set down the blueprint for a business that would be based on Triple Bottom Line thinking, always looking to balance its impact on people, planet and profit. In 2015, we learnt about an organisation called B Corporation that was just taking off as a movement in the UK, and knew this could provide a framework to help support our vision of doing business differently.
“Roll forward to August 2024 and it’s a dream come true to finally call ourselves a B Corp! I would like to thank our investors, who have supported us since day one to deliver a business model that balances people, planet and profit.”
Andy Hawkins, Co-chair of the Bristol & Bath B Local network, commented:
“It’s been great to be on the B Corp journey with The Wave. I was able to witness first-hand the passion, tenacity and authenticity with which they approached their B Corp Certification. They will be a hugely valued member of the Bristol & Bath Local B Corp community, and we look forward to creating waves of impact together!”
This announcement coincides with the release of The Wave’s latest Impact Report for 2023-2024. The ‘slice of the ocean’ continued in its mission to bring the joy of water and waves to more people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
Key achievements over the last year include:
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Delivered 1,000 surfs via our Impact Programme
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Supported 150 individual para surfers booking throughout normal channels
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Built and switched on the solar array – delivering sunshine powered waves!
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Ran 4 x 6-week surf therapy courses with The Wave Project
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Hosted 90 children from London and Bristol for free to surf and take part in workshops as part of World Ocean Day for Schools
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Enabled a 5-week course with women form Bristol’s female Muslim community, in association with Open Minds Active and Active Being Connect
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Set up a ‘Donate at the checkout’ option online and raised over £4000 to support the Impact Programme
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Secured planning permission for lake lighting
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Delivered 133,000 hours of surfing
CEO Hazel Geary concludes:
“We are proud of what we managed to achieve over the last year and the report is a chance to recognise this – as well as continue to learn and improve. So much of our impact is only made possible by collaboration. We are better together and are ever grateful for everyone on this journey with us. Becoming a B Corp was one of our top aims for 2024-25 and I’m absolutely delighted we can announce achieving this at the same time as issuing our latest impact report.”
