JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After more than two decades of introducing Jacksonville residents to the joys of paddling, windsurfing and wakeboarding, All Wet Sports is closing its doors.
Owner Andy Fraden announced the closure, citing rising construction costs and prolonged delays as the driving factors behind the decision.
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“It is with great sadness we are announcing after 24+ years of bringing smiles to our customers, introducing thousands to the fun you can have on Jacksonville’s waterways — be it kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, dragon boating, windsurfing and wakeboarding — All Wet Sports will be closing,” Fraden wrote.
Over the years, All Wet Sports hosted wakeboard tournaments and taught countless locals how to windsurf and paddleboard on the St. Johns River and its tributaries.
Fraden noted the business had been working toward a solution with the property’s new ownership to have a viable new building constructed before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
“Before COVID we had it worked out, and then COVID happened and all costs escalated and had numerous delays,” Fraden wrote. “The cost is now beyond our scope.”
The shop plans to sell all inventory and fixtures over the next several months. There is still a possibility that a kayak rental business could return to the location once a new restaurant is built for the current property owner.
“It has been a fun 24+ years introducing everyone to the wonderful excitement you can have on our river and tributaries,” Fraden wrote.