On Wednesday July 31 Australian news outlets reported that a surfer was pulled unconscious from the water at Sydney’s wave pool.
URBNSURF lifeguards attended an unconscious 70-year-old male at the Wavegarden Cove pool shortly before noon and performed CPR according to reports. Local emergency responders then showed up at the surf park and took the man to Concord Hospital in a critical condition. He died later.
“URBNSURF has temporarily closed its Sydney Olympic Park facility after a guest suffered what is believed to be a medical episode on site,” an URBNSURF spokesperson said. “The URBNSURF team responded to provide support and care for the guest before paramedics arrived.”
How the person became unconscious is unknown with many speculating the surfer had a heart attack or other medical episode. Police are investigating the incident but the death has not been deemed suspicious. A report will be forthcoming in the next few days.
In a statement to local news URBNSURF said their main priority is the health, safety and well-being of guests and staff. “Our thoughts are with them at this time.”
URBNSURF temporarily closed its Sydney Olympic Park facility after a guest suffered a suspected medical episode on site.
The guest was transported to hospital following onsite care by our team but has since passed away.
Our heartfelt thoughts are with his family and loved ones. He was a beloved member of the URBNSURF bodyboarding community.
Out of care and respect for all involved, the facility was closed on Thursday 1st August. The park reopened on Friday 2nd August.
Our main priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of our guests and staff and we are providing appropriate support.
– Statement from URBNSURF
URBNSURF Sydney, in partnership with Simba, offers free helmets to surfers, as does URBNSURF Melbourne. The companies noted a rise in helmet usage among guests, though wearing them is optional. Sydney is URBNSURF’s second location after Melbourne, making it the only operator of two surf parks.
Wave pool surfing deaths are incredibly rare. Facilities don’t publicize incidents but they have occured. The most well-known tragedy is Fabrizio Stabile who contracted a brain-eating bacteria at a Texas wave pool.
Deaths in ocean surfing are on the rise as more people take up the sport. Last year pro surfer Mikala Jones severed an artery while surfing in Indonesia. Recently Tamayo Perry died after
a shark attack on Oahu.
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