The long-anticipated groundbreaking at the Urbnsurf Sydney site went down this weekend with the unveiling of official park renderings, surf star appearances and construction vehicles.

Sydneysiders and surrounding areas will have access to the park which sites within 30 minutes of the CBD. It will provide an alternative break to the ocean that will pump human-made waves for all ages and abilities.

Tom Carroll, Luke Egan and others were on hand to witness the big machines commence the dig.

“Imagine, going surfing out in western Sydney,” said two-time world champ Tom Carroll. “To have a surf-able wave out here is miraculous and extraordinary and just to have something available here is great. I’m gonna drive out here because I know it’s a fun wave.”

The surf lagoon within the $50 million development, set in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct, is similar in size to the Sydney cricket field. Urbnsurf Sydney will sit on 3.6 hectares and will utilize Wavegarden  Cove technology – which currently powers both left and righthand waves at Urbnsurf Melbourne, generating a wave every few seconds, enabling surfers to catch 10-12 waves per hour.  

The surf park will also feature a high-performance center, working spaces, licensed café, rooftop bar, yoga studio, leisure pool for families, skate park, surf academy staffed with expert coaches, beach cabanas, surf shop, kids’ playground and more.   

Sydney is part of Urbnsurf’s planned expansion throughout Australia. The company started with Urbnsurf Melbourne and now plans several other locations. CEO Damon Tudor told WavePoolMag that Sydney is the company’s top priority site at the moment.

It’s been a complicated road for Urbnsurf. One of the founding partners, Andrew Ross, left to start his own company, Aventuur. In an odd twist of fate, both Urbnsurf and Aventuur were going head-to-head for rights to build a wave pool in Perth.

Urbnsurf Sydney will build off the company’s successful Melbourne model and hopes to open in 2023.