Bringing together Olympians from summer and winter Games, from the most recent Paris Olympics all the way back to Tokyo 1964, the alumni event saw the Olympian community throw themselves into one of our newest Olympic sports.

From first-timers celebrating to standing up on a surf board for the first time to seasoned surfers getting some of the best waves of their life, the Olympians shared in the joy of surfing, alongside their teammates, partners and children.

Guest coaches including former pro surfer Luke Egan and world-record holder for the world’s longest surf (at 40 hours) Blake Johnstone helped put the Olympians through their paces.

Paris 2024 relay medallist swimmer, 18-year-old Olivia Wunsch, was pumped to get her first ever standing wave.

“Today was so much fun, I’ve tried to surf once before but didn’t get up, but I was able to today!” she said. “Its been a big week, a big year - I just finished my HSC exams on Tuesday. Normally the water is a serious training environment, its so nice to celebrate and relax.

“My competitive spirit definitely came out, my friend and I were racing each other to get up first. It’s really nice to connect with everyone, the Olympians across different Games, catch up with some Paris athletes and meet new faces.”

 Attendees ranged from 15-year-old skater Ruby Trew, who juggles skating and surfing at a high level, to Russell Phegan who swam at the Tokyo 1964 Games aged 17.

Seventy-seven-year-old Phegan traded his normal daily body surf at Sydney’s Mona Vale beach with taking on the URBNSURF wave pool.

“I'm very proud of being part of this Olympian community and to meet the community that grows with every Games. 

I really enjoyed it out there today and it's great to still be able to get together with all the different people from the different Olympics.”

Fifteen-year-old Trew is no stranger to the waves.

“It’s such a cool feeling to be here with the Olympians,” Ruby said. “Coming from all different sports and to see them surfing in one of the sports I love surfing is great.

“After I came back from Paris I hadn’t surfed in months, I came here and worked on my surfing for a couple of weeks and it got so much better so quickly.”

At the Melbourne event, Paris 2024 200m sprinter Mia Gross was stoked with most successful surfing experience.

“I grew up in Torquay, its criminal that I can’t surf - I tried and tried and never really got it, so it’s cool to be out there and I can tell my schoolfriends hey I can surf now! 

“The waves were so good, as the waves got progressively harder, my confidence grew with it. When I first stood up it was so exhilarating.” 

“We had a couple of other Paris Olympians here today, such an awesome experience with people from so many different Games and sports, winter and summer, all meshing in together. Before I made the (Paris) team, I didn’t realise there would be this shared community, I thought it would be quite separate, but it’s so cool to be able to do things together like this.

“Look I think I’m going to stick to be a land based creature, I enjoyed today so much and I’ll definitely be back, but I’ll leave the comp to the pros!

Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 rower Julia Bell, chair of the NSW Olympian Alumni Association, said it was special to see the community of Olympians come together to challenge themselves.

“Our Olympian alumni community is so inclusive and it was amazing to share in such a positive, joyful day,” Julia said.

“You come together at the Olympics, then disperse – so to be able to reconnect in a no pressure environment, having fun with that Olympic community, and meet people outside your own sport is so valuable.

“This was such a great venue for it, it brought together all generations, abilities, caters to pros and first timers alike. There were such positive vibes, everyone enjoys sharing their Olympic memories and connecting with one another. There were plenty of Olympic rings tattoos on display too, some as recent as last week!”

“Next year the NSW alumni group will be trying out rafting at the whitewater paddle centre and alumni groups around the country are always looking for great new activities to bring our Olympian alumni together.”

Paralympian Tori Pendergast and visually impaired surf athletes Sarah Gibson and Jack Jackson also took to the URBNSURF waves.

“I always find it great when Paralympic and Olympic alumni get together for these events,” Tori said.

“We all have a shared experience in sport that has made such a positive impact, it’s great to connect with a wide variety of athletes who enjoy what benefits Olympic and Paralympic sports bring to the community.

"Surfing is such an accessible sport and it’s great to see all abilities give it a go.”