Surfing, still a relatively new sport in the Olympic landscape, is navigating its path through the Games with mixed results. Having appeared in only two Olympics so far—Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024—the sport’s presence has generated a variety of reactions. Tokyo’s debut was met with a lukewarm response, while Paris showcased thrilling performances that highlighted surfing’s potential.
The dream of surfing’s inclusion in the Olympics, long championed by Hawaiian legend Duke Kahanamoku, has been realized after over a century. Yet, the journey to this point has not been without debate and controversy.
Before the Tokyo Games, there was significant momentum advocating for the surfing event to be held in a wave pool rather than the open ocean. However, the event was ultimately staged in the ocean—a decision that left some fans disappointed while others supported it.
The ocean waves in Tokyo, unfortunately, did not deliver the excitement hoped for during the sport’s Olympic debut. This contrasted with the more thrilling experience at Paris 2024, where the event was held at the famous Teahupo’o break in Tahiti. The competition in Tahiti featured two days of some of the most dangerous and awe-inspiring waves, giving the sport a much-needed redemption.
Now, a new proposal is on the table for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, with a wave pool potentially replacing the unpredictable ocean setting. The Endless Surf wave pool technology, which has been successfully showcased in O2 SurfTown MUC in Germany, is at the forefront of this new vision. The pool’s developers believe it could play a pivotal role in the upcoming Brisbane Olympics.
Backing this ambitious project is none other than three-time world champion Mick Fanning. “It’s probably the most user-friendly, and it just doesn’t stop—wave after wave,” Fanning told Financial Review. He praised the pool’s ability to offer an endless supply of perfect waves, citing his own experience of catching 150 waves in just four hours as “out of this world.”
For surfers, who often go to great lengths to find the ideal wave—traveling on boats, flying in small planes, and even enduring harsh conditions—having access to consistent waves in a controlled environment presents an exciting new frontier.
As the countdown to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics continues, the possibility of Olympic surfing taking place in a wave pool is a topic to watch. The event will take place from July 23 to August 8, 2032, and could mark a pivotal moment for the sport’s future in the Games.
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