Paramedics called to dozens of injuries at Urbnsurf in Tullamarine

Paramedics have been called to scores of incidents including head injuries, dislocations and cuts at the popular Urbnsurf park in Tullamarine.

Ambulance Victoria data shows almost 40 ambulance callouts to Urbnsurf in Tullamarine from January 2022 to June this year. Picture: WSL/Matt Danbar

Paramedics have been called to dozens of reported incidents at a popular Melbourne surf park.

The data from Ambulance Victoria released under Freedom of Information laws shows almost 40 ambulance call-outs to Urbnsurf in Tullamarine from January 2022 to June this year.

Paramedics attended the facility to assist with injuries including bone dislocations, head injuries and cuts.

The data does not include lower-level injuries where surfers have made their own way to hospital.

Ten patrons suffered dislocations, with three being transported to hospital.

One visitor suffered from a reported spinal dislocation.

Four others experienced head injuries, while another seven had lacerations.

Another suffered “traumatic” injuries to their chest and check that caused them to experience difficulty breathing.

One patron also experienced cardiac arrest last year.

Of the 39 reported injuries, 15 patrons were transported to hospital.

Injuries at the surf park have included dislocations and head injuries. Picture: Jason Edwards

Urbnsurf opened in 2020 and uses technology to pump out about 600 waves an hour for boardriders from “first-time learners through to world-champs”

It’s had almost 600,000 guests since opening.

The park reopened on Saturday after a winter recess.

Free helmets are available for surfers, and surf guides to accompany people in the water.

About 25 per cent of the park’s guests travel from interstate.

It comes after an experienced surfer last year sued the surf park after allegedly breaking his neck during a wipe-out.

Peter Nolan claimed he was “picked up by a wave and thrown into the concrete surface of the pool” while at Urbnsurf in December last year.

The 35-year-old stated the facility has a design fault, with water becoming shallow in certain areas when waves are breaking.

Mr Nolan, from Ocean Grove, said he suffered fractures in his spine at the base of the neck in the incident.

The case is listed for a four-day trial in October.

Urbnsurf chief executive Damon Tudor said the park had strict safety policies.

“All lifeguards are first aid trained and we actually work with the Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association (APOLA) and they review our policies and procedures,” he said.

“We have first aid on site and we regularly train staff in the pool with dummies and people to simulate actual rescues.

“Before surfing, patrons must sign a waiver, watch our safety video and participate in a pre-surf safety briefing. We also have surf guides in the water with people.”

Mr Tudor said the park would rather be “overly cautious” and call an ambulance when required.

“We take safety very seriously and we always check in and our operations risk manager will follow up on guests if they have experienced an injury.

“We won the WorkSafe Victoria OH&S leadership achievement award in 2021. This shows we take safety very seriously and we are proud of how we’re tracking.

“We are always seeking to improve safety for our guests and staff.”