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Adaptive Surf plans May 30 event; promoter warns Bikefest may be scrapped if fees not reduced
Summary
Adaptive Surf Project told Atlantic Beach council it will bring an adaptive-surfing event May 30 for about 70 participants and requested matting and parking; festival promoter Jeffrey Gore said recent contract changes, vendor-fee increases and music restrictions threaten Bikefest and that he may pull the event if terms stand.
At the May 11 Atlantic Beach Town Council meeting, representatives of the Adaptive Surf Project described a May 30 adaptive-surfing event expected to serve roughly 70 participants with about 125 volunteers and asked the town for logistical support, including additional beach matting and access at several avenues.
"We did an event here about two years ago...We did the matting down here at the beach...We've got more matting. If you would like more matting anywhere, we'll be more than welcome to bring some matting," Van, a representative of Adaptive Surf Project, told the council, and he and Interim Town Manager Titus Leaks agreed to coordinate event logistics, including access and parking at the 31st Avenue access point.
Later in public comment, festival promoter Jeffrey Gore said contract limitations and higher vendor fees make staging this year’s Bikefest financially risky. Gore said he faces lost vendor commitments and disputed that a five-year agreement was guaranteed; he told council, "I'm gonna have to pull out. I'm not going to be able to do it myself," and that he plans to send a counteroffer to the town manager.
Gore described prior event economics in broad terms: he said he spent about $90,000 staging an event and "walked away with $5,000," and said changes such as earlier music cutoffs and content complaints reduced nighttime sales that support vendor revenue. Council members acknowledged the time sensitivity — Bikefest dates are May 22–25 — and encouraged Gore to submit any counterproposal to the town manager for consideration.
Mayor Pro Tem John David and Council members offered volunteer support and said staff would follow up; Councilwoman Carla Taylor thanked Adaptive Surf for positive press the group brought to the town and Council members said the town would assist where possible.
The council did not take formal action on Bikefest during the meeting; Mr. Gore’s statements were presented as public comment and will inform staff follow-up on vendor fees, contract terms and permit conditions.
