The Gold Coast Wake Park has announced it will permanently close its Oxenford facility, bringing an end to a decade of operation and leaving many local riders, families and businesses shocked by the sudden decision. The park became one of the Gold Coast’s most recognised water-sports venues, attracting beginners, professional athletes and visitors from across Australia.
Founded in 2015 by former professional wakeboarder Daniel Watkins, the park grew into an important part of the Australian wakeboarding community. It hosted major competitions, including world championship events, and helped introduce thousands of young people to the sport.
The closure announcement came unexpectedly, with the business confirming that the final day of operations would include a farewell "Wake Jam" event organised with the Gold Coast Wakeboard Club. Many community members expressed disappointment at losing a facility that provided an outdoor activity space for teenagers, families and athletes.
The Gold Coast Wakeboard Club, which has around 80 members, is now searching for alternative locations to continue training. Members said the closure creates a major challenge because the next available facilities may require significantly longer travel times.
The park survived several difficult periods, including COVID-19 restrictions and major flooding events that damaged equipment and affected operations. Despite those challenges, it remained a popular destination for wakeboarding enthusiasts and recreational visitors.
Local businesses connected to the venue have also been affected. Wakeboarding retailer Pro Wake, which operated from the park, described the closure as a major setback for the Gold Coast sporting community and said the short notice created uncertainty for staff and customers.
The exact reason for the closure has not been publicly confirmed. The park operated under a lease arrangement at the Oxenford quarry site, where previous disputes and planning issues involving the property had attracted attention. Matters involving the site are reportedly before the Queensland Supreme Court, limiting comments from involved parties.
The closure comes at a time when supporters had hoped wakeboarding could gain further attention ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, with some believing the Gold Coast could have been an ideal location for future events.
For many locals, the loss is not only about a sports facility but also about losing a community gathering place that encouraged outdoor activity, youth participation and connection through water sports.
