TV STAR RIGHT AT HOME ON THE WAVES
ANTHONY Carroll has fallen in love with the Gold Coast.
The Bondi Rescue reality-TV star affectionately known as “Harrie’’ has been competing at the Aussies this week and may look to extend his stay a little longer.
“You might even get me up here as a resident one day,” he said.
“We’ll have to see. I might keep with the ‘B theme’ and join Burleigh since I’m coming from Bondi.”
Like many competitors the 42-year-old has had to contend with fierce conditions at Broadbeach, with swell peaking at more than two metres.
“Being back on the Gold Coast, it’s really special,” he said. “I love this place.
“It feels like the birthplace of racing and it’s so challenging out in that ocean.
“One minute you could be behind and the next minute a wave could roar past you and bring you into shore.”
After winning the long board, short board and board masters race for North Cronulla, Carroll showed all those on shore that his reality TV rescues are no farce.
“Being an Australian champion is amazing,” he said. “It’s really important now that I’ve got my kids and my wife here, it feels like I’m now leaving a legacy for my children to be part of this family branch.
“I’ve been doing this for 30 years and it’s my life.
“I’m not comfortable saying this but this has made me famous.”
Carroll has also taken the chance to give back to the surf lifesaving community and has been running daily pilates classes for older athletes.
“Pilates is something I’m really passionate about aside from lifesaving and racing,” he said.
“It’s an extension of what we do out of the water, staying mobile so we can compete at our best.
“I want to be an ambassador for surf lifesaving after what they’ve done for me.”
Despite three Aussies medals, Carroll’s fame continues to draw a crowd.
“Everyone is a big supporter of Bondi Rescue,
I’ve done about 300 or 400 photos since I’ve been here,” he said.
“The most humbling thing for me is families are coming up to me and saying, ‘we watch the show as a family’ which is a real NFL touchdown moment for me.”