Athletes back surf lifesaving push for Brisbane Olympics inclusion

It’s the true blue Aussie sport already providing a pipeline of elite athletic talent to Olympic sports. But Olympians from a surf lifesaving background are backing a push for its stand-alone inclusion at future Games.

A career that started on the glistening sands of the Gold Coast and culminated in the first sprint semi-final showing by an Aussie woman in more than 20 years has highlighted the burgeoning pipeline surf lifesaving is providing to Australia’s Olympic team.

Bree Masters, who was officially welcomed home by the Gold Coast community at the city’s Olympic and Paralympic reception on Sunday, became the first Australian woman since Melinda Gainsford-Taylor in 2000 to make the semi-finals of the 100m at the Olympics where she finished 22nd overall.

The result came just five years after the former world beach sprint champion transitioned from surf lifesaving to athletics full-time, concentrating on a career on the track with the goal of becoming an Olympian.

Australian Bree Masters during the semi-final of the 100m at the Stade de France Picture: Michael Klein

“Honestly I don’t think it’s sunk in yet, the journey here happened so quickly,” Masters said.

“It’s only been five years since I came into track and field and obviously Olympics is always a dream, but being in a non-Olympic sport (of surf lifesaving), I never thought it would be a real dream.

“So that turned around really quickly, and it’s crazy to come home and now think that I’m an Olympian in the blue ribbon event and a semi-finalist and the first person to do it in 24 years.

“It was more than I ever could have dreamed of and I’m so proud of myself.”

Masters was one of several athletes in Paris whose Olympic journey started in the surf, including all but three members of the sprint kayak team and some of the record-breaking swim team including relay gold medallist Lani Pallister.

“We’ve seen so many incredible athletes come out of surf lifesaving and in so many different sports,” Masters said.

Gold Coast surf lifesaver Bree Masters. Picture: CAVAN FLYNN

“At the closing ceremony, we actually all got together and got a photo and to see how many clubbies were there in Paris was amazing.

“It’s an incredible pathway to whatever sport you want to do.”

Several National Sporting Organisations have relationships with Surf Lifesaving Australia, with swimming and paddling among those seeing the sport as a pathway to Olympic disciplines including open-water swimmers and sprint kayaking.

Rowing Australia has also recently signed a memorandum of understanding with surf, given coastal rowing is set to be included in the 2028 Olympics.

“We actually signed an MOU with Surf Life Saving Australia last December,” RA chief executive Sarah Cook said.

“We’ve been working together on both high performance and the growth of coastal rowing and we had our first athlete at the (recent) world championships fully from a surf lifesaving background.”

While surf lifesaving is currently an athlete pipeline, it could be a fully fledged sport in its own right in the future.

The International Life Saving Federation is preparing a bid for entry to the 2032 Games in Brisbane, something that Masters would like to see.

“Hopefully the at the end goal is to see surf lifesaving in the Olympics ... I know that they’re working very hard on that,” Masters said.

Alyce Wood poses for a photo with the fans - and daughter Florence at far left - during a Welcome Home Event for Australia's Olympians and Paralympians. Picture: Getty Images

Another backing the move is now retired sprint kayaker Alyce Wood, who competed at her third Games in Paris.

“Surf lifesaving, I think, is one of the biggest advantages we have in Australia for Olympic sports,” Wood said.

“Growing up on the beach, obviously you’re living an active lifestyle but the fitness and the skill that you gain from being a surf athlete is second to none.

“I think that’s why so many people transition so well in the kayak or on the sand or hopefully in the rowing boats now in the future.”

Originally published as Athletes back surf lifesaving push for Brisbane Olympics inclusion