Meet Our Team
Welcome to the team behind Africa's first world-class inland surf park. Our team is dedicated to providing an exceptional experience for surf lovers, wellness seekers, families, and eco-conscious adventurers. Through our passion for surfing and commitment to sustainability, we strive to create a vibrant community rooted in health, connection, and nature.
Jim Storey
Brand, Strategy and Funding
Jim brings over two decades of high-level strategic and financial experience to the team. With a background in management consulting at Accenture and M&A at Deutsche Bank, he later led strategy for RBS’s £30bn real estate portfolio. As a consultant, he has advised global clients including News Corp, Channel 4, HSBC, and PepsiCo. Jim also founded an award-winning surf apparel brand and is the visionary behind a £40m surf wellness destination in the UK. His deep industry insight, funding expertise, and passion for surf-driven social impact make him a key force behind the project’s strategic direction.
Darren Swanepoel
Community, Technology and Strategic Partnerships
With a BSc in Mechatronics Engineering and nearly two decades in high-end property tech, Darren blends technical expertise with deep community roots. He is a well-known figure in the South African surf scene, with long-standing ties to professional athletes and NGOs like Waves for Change. As an accredited ICF coach and retreat facilitator, Darren builds powerful human connections across business, wellness, and community sectors. His strength lies in uniting aligned partners to create experiences that are innovative, transformative, and deeply meaningful.
Nick Lockett
Feasibility, Coordination and Delivery
Nick is a construction industry veteran with over 25 years of experience managing high-end developments across the UK, UAE, and South Africa. He has delivered 150+ bespoke projects through his firm, Billet Construction Services, and held leadership roles on large-scale ventures such as Nakheel’s AED 13bn Dubai development. Known for his precision, efficiency, and award-winning delivery, Nick brings invaluable expertise in project strategy, procurement, and risk management, ensuring every phase of development runs seamlessly and successfully.
David Whitehead
Vision, Practical Expertise and Commitment to Excellence
David is a dynamic entrepreneur with a proven track record in business development, staffing, and educational technology. As founder of TriMotion and CEO of ChildCloud, he has built and scaled impactful ventures across South Africa and the UK, serving major corporates and over 1,000 schools. With a background in property development dating back to 1997, David offers a unique blend of practical insight, operational excellence, and visionary thinking—driving the project forward with purpose and clarity.