Wavegarden, a leading manufacturer of artificial wave-generating systems, has worked with URBNSURF group once more to create a new surf park at Sydney Olympic Park, Australia. URBNSURF Sydney is Australia’s second Wavegarden Cove surf park, and the eighth in the world.
The project follows the successful surf park URBNSURF Melbourne, which opened in 2020. The URBNSURF group is Wavegarden first repeat client.
Increasing access for Sydney surfers
Sydney Olympic Park, located 13 kilometres west of the CBD, now houses New South Wales’ first Wavegarden surf park, with an investment of over A$75m. Sydney has many surfing beaches, but access and congestion are growing concerns. URBNSURF Sydney’s Wavegarden Cove, a 46-module surfing lagoon, offers a safe and convenient alternative to ocean-based surfing for Sydney residents and visitors.
The surf park is expected to open in May. It will be open daily from 6 am to 10 pm, and cost A$30 to A$159 for a one-hour session, according to the level. Surfers can experience around 10 to 12 waves per session, with options ranging from beginner classes to sessions for skilled professionals.
The 3.6-hectare surfing lagoon is equipped with the latest, most energy-efficient Wavegarden Cove technology. It can accommodate up to 1000 guests daily and offers the biggest range of waves.
Sustainable approach
URBNSURF Sydney is the URBNSURF group’s second surf park, and with this project, the group has become Wavegarden’s first repeat customer. The Sydney park follows the success of URBNSURF Melbourne and demonstrates its dedication to providing cutting-edge surfing experiences to urban communities.
Reef Heazlewood, one of the top Australian surfers, says: “This innovation is going to help surfers improve much faster than surfing in the ocean. People in Sydney are going to be blown away when they see how good the waves are here.”
National sports bodies, professional surfers, and coaches have shown that a Wavegarden Cove, such as the one in Melbourne, is an essential resource for training before competitions.
URBNSURF Sydney features a north-south lagoon orientation designed per the location’s common wind conditions and LED lagoon lighting which allows visitors to surf both day and night. The facility incorporates sustainable design components, renewable energy, and water-saving technology, which aligns with Sydney Olympic Park’s environmental sustainability approach.
Sydney Olympic Park hosts over 5,500 events annually at its sports, entertainment, and leisure venues. The park’s extensive green spaces, playgrounds, and cycleways attract visitors of all ages. URBNSURF Sydney is located less than a kilometre from the Olympic Park train station and is next to a potential station on the upcoming Parramatta Light Rail line. This will provide access for over two million Sydney residents in under half an hour.
Repeat client
The launch of URBNSURF Sydney marks Wavegarden’s 8th facility worldwide, and its first client to develop a second wave park.
Fernando Odriozola, Wavegarden’s chief commercial officer, comments: “This new Sydney project highlights the value and trust that URBNSURF has in Wavegarden. This is reassuring for our other clients and their investors, not only because we are the only surf park developer in the world with eight surf parks in operation, but also because one of our clients now has two.”
URBNSURF offers tailored programmes for schools, corporate, and private groups, in addition to surf sessions for existing surfers. The lagoon can accommodate 90 surfers per hour across four zones and is accompanied by a variety of water-side facilities. Visitors can enjoy an Apple Jack cafĂ©, rooftop bar, beach club, Rip Curl retail outlet, surf academy, beach cabanas, skate ramps, lagoon-side pools, kids’ playground, and event spaces, among others.
Damon Tudor, CEO of URBNSURF, says: “We created URBNSURF Sydney based on the invaluable experience and insights we gained from successfully developing, launching and operating Australia’s first surf park URBNSURF Melbourne in 2020. We’re proud to be considered a pioneer in this exciting new industry as we become a global first in opening our second park in Sydney. We can’t wait to show our local customers in Australia and the world what we have achieved.”
A select group of surfers were invited to a test session at the park, including Dylan Moffat, Owen Wright and Milla Coco Brown. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
Wright comments: “It’s incredible to think that we have these type of surf parks in Australia. The waves are truly world class.”
Earlier this year, Wavegarden announced that its third and biggest Wavegarden Cove in the UK is set to open in late 2025 in Birmingham.
