Australian Surf Life Saving Championships 2019: 10 athletes and teams to watch at the Aussies

More than 6000 competitors will take to Gold Coast beaches during the 2019 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships. But there are a handful of athletes you simply have to watch at the Aussies.

WHILE more than 6000 competitors will take to Gold Coast beaches, there are a handful of athletes you simply have to watch at the Aussies.

ALI DAY (SURFERS PARADISE)

Ali Day. Picture: HARVPIX

Ali Day will be looking to cap a near-faultless season with his first Australian ironman title. Having already won the Coolangatta Gold, World title, and Nutri-Grain Series in 2018-19, along with last weekend’s Shannon Eckstein Ironman Classic, he’s in dangerous form and will be tough to beat.

LAURA TAYLOR(NORTHCLIFFE)

Laura Taylor.

This time last year, swimming sensation Laura Taylor was racing for international gold at the Commonwealth Games. Her experience and skills in the surf will bolster a Northcliffe team looking for its 16th straight win in the club point score.

RUBY MEEHAN & CALLUM BRENNAN (CURRUMBIN)

Currumbin surf lifesaver Ruby Meehan. Picture: HARVPIX

The Currumbin young-guns have emerged as the ones to beat following strong performances at the Queensland Youth Championships earlier this month. Ruby took out the under-15 ironwoman final, while Callum won gold in the under-15 ironman.

Currumbin surf lifesaver Callum Brennan. Picture: HARVPIX

ZANE HOLMES (BURLEIGH HEADS MOWBRAY PARK)

Zane Holmes.

One of the most decorated ironmen in history, Zane Holmes notched up five Nutri-Grain titles, two world ironman championships, an Australian title, and a Coolangatta Gold across an impressive career. Keep an eye out for the veteran as he dives into the masters and open competition next week.

CURRUMBIN TAPLIN RELAY

Last year Currumbin broke a four-decade drought when they stormed home to record a famous victory in the open male Taplin relay. The raw and emotional scenes of celebration that followed could be topped if they manage to pull off back-to-back wins in the prestigious event next week.

KY KINSELA (CURRUMBIN)

Ky Kinsela in action at the Queensland State surf life saving championships. Picture: Harvpix

It’s been a big month for Currumbin’s Ky Kinsela, with the rising star already notching up wins in the Under-19 ironman at both the Queensland and NSW Surf Life Saving Championships. He’ll be hoping to cap it off with another strong performance at this year’s Australian titles.

MASTERS V FORSYTH

Gold Coast surf lifesaver Elizabeth Forsyth. Picture: HARVPIX

The action will be fast and furious in the sprints arena when Currumbin’s Elizabeth Forsyth lines up against Kurrawa’s Bree Masters. The pair finished one-two in the sprints and flags last year, with Forsyth claiming bragging rights in both. Masters stormed home at the recent Queensland Championships to claim the sprint title, while Forsyth reigned supreme in the flags, leaving the race for gold at Aussies an exciting one.

TANYN LYNDON (KURRAWA)

Tanyn Lyndon crosses the line first in the ironman race at the Queensland State surf life saving championships. Picture: Harvpix

A strong performance at the Queensland Surf Life Saving Championships two weeks ago saw Tanyn Lyndon take out a maiden state title. The Kurrawa ironman was runner-up at the Australian Championships back in 2013, and will be eager to go one better when he hits the surf at Broadbeach next week.

SHANNON ECKSTEIN (NORTHCLIFFE)

Ironman great Shannon Eckstein will retire from professional racing at the end of the summer. Photo: Supplied

Widely regarded as the greatest ironman of all time, Northcliffe’s Shannon Eckstein will be hoping for a fairy tale finish to his career when he lines up at his final Aussies next week. With eight Australian ironman titles already to his name, it’s clear he knows a thing or two about performing under pressure.

GEORGIA MILLER (NORTHCLIFFE)

Coolangatta Gold winner Georgia Miller. Picture: Jerad Williams

Northcliffe’s Georgia Miller will enter this year’s Aussies in career-best form, following an incredible season that’s already yielded a maiden Coolangatta Gold title and a Nutri-Grain Series win. However, she’s likely to face tough competition from the likes of Maddy Dunn, Courtney Hancock, and the recently-crowned Queensland champion Lana Rogers.