Carroll, 62, said the “beast mode” wave at the top end of the ladder was very difficult.
“It's very tight, it has a consequence,” he said. “You get smashed to the bottom of the pool if you make a mistake.”
Citing its high performance value and commercial appeal, the NSW Office of Sport has contributed $1 million to the development of a $2.2 million Center of Excellence at the pool of Homebush waves.
Another benefit, according to Surfing Australia (SA), is likely to be increased participation.
Surfing, like golf, was a sport that became more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SA chief executive Chris Mater said just 120,000 women over the age of 15 took up surfing in a 12-month period.
He believes the new surf park in Sydney's west, as well as the existing URBNSURF pool near Melbourne Airport, can expand the surfing population.
“The thing about Homebush is … all the waves are inshore and with Tullamarine and now the Sydney Wave Pool inland, I think it's a massive opportunity,” he said.
SA state affiliates Surfing NSW and Surfing Victoria have partnerships with URBNSURF. Seven-time world champion Layne Beachley is part of the company's board of directors.
Surfing made its Olympic debut in Japan in 2021 and at this year's Paris Games it will not be held in France but in the southern hemisphere of French Polynesia.
The competition venue, Tahiti's towering Teahupo'o break, will become the furthest venue yet from a host city, eclipsing the 1956 equestrian event, which was held in Stockholm instead, by around 100km from Melbourne due to Australian quarantine regulations.
The 12-hour time difference between France and Tahiti offers surfing a unique opportunity to reach new audiences. While Paris sleeps, it will be the only live competition on daytime television in Australia.
The Australian Olympic Committee announced last week that former world champion Tyler Wright, Molly Picklum, Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing would make the Australian team. Wright's brother Owen won an Olympic bronze medal three years ago and Robinson triumphed in Teahupo'o last year at the World Surf League's Tahiti Pro.
Sydney Surf Park entry starts at $39 for beginners. An hour of surfing for developing and experienced surfers starts at $104.
