‘Perfect place’: Athletes back bid to make surf lifesaving an Olympic sport on eve of World Champs

Officials are moving to hold the Lifesaving World Championships on the Gold Coast twice in eight years as part of a push for the sport to gain entry into the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Go inside the sport’s plans here.

Officials are moving to hold the Lifesaving World Championships on the Gold Coast twice in eight years as part of a push for the sport to gain entry into the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Events will be held at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre and Kurrawa beach from Friday August 23 while the city is likely to hold another LWC in the lead up to 2032.

It comes 36 years on from the city’s first taste of LWC in 1988.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have it back here on the Gold Coast ... we actually think there’s no better destination in Australia and probably in the world to host this magnificent event,” said Executive Director of Events Avril Harris.

Gold Coast will welcome 5000 athletes and team officials from over 50 nations to the championships ahead of a jam-packed three week schedule.

“We’re committed to building our reputation as a sporting event destination.

“Our job over the next eight years is to really build that runway into 2032 and events like this demonstrate our city’s capability.

“We need events like this one to show everybody.”

Corey Fletcher and Lana Rogers of Australian Surf Lifesaving

Athletes have also voiced their desire to have Kurrawa used for the Games.

Australian team member and current Australian Ironwoman Champion Lana Rogers will compete in her first LWC this year for the green and gold.

“It’s so special, I’m definitely in a pinch me moment,” she said.

“It’s going to be a big two weeks but I’m excited and ready to represent Australia.

“It should be an Olympic sport and I think this is going to be a great hit out to show everybody that it deserves to be on the world stage.”

Corey Fletcher currently leads the Summer of Surf board series and board relay series. Picture supplied.

Her hopes of Olympic consideration were backed by fellow Aussie teammate and Burleigh local Corey Fletcher, who returns for his second LWC.

“With the numbers we’ve got coming here ... over the next eight years there’ll be even more numbers to make that bid successful,” he said.

“It’s exciting that we’ve got the chance to put our sport on a world stage such as the Olympics and this is the perfect place to showcase that.”

Fletcher was a member of the winning Australian team in Riccione, Italy (2022) and said he was ready to help defend the nation’s title.

“I’d like to think we’re pretty confident going in.

“We’ve got a home advantage being here ... it’s nice to be staying local and get to represent Australia on home soil in front of family and friends.”

Gold Coast was successful in its bid to host the championships in 2022, before the COVID-19 delays pushed the timeline back two years (one cycle).
The event has attracted athletes representing over 140 clubs across the globe, including from 11 developing nations in Europe and the Africas.

Lana Rogers and Ali Day at Miami, Gold Coast. Picture: Luke Marsden/Surf Life Saving Australia

It comes on the back of a highly successful Pacific Airshow, with accommodation over the three-week schedule is nearing capacity and an estimated economic investment of $19 million.

“We want to do the best ever... best attended, most inspiring, most inclusive event that we can,” LWC 2024 Chair & Project Director Ron Rankin AM said.

“Entries have exceeded all our expectation, in fact they’ve set records ... we’ll see in excess of 5000 competitors and team officials.

“The amount of people that stop and look and ask questions is quite amazing.”

Events will be held at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre and Kurrawa Beach in Broadbeach.

Originally published as ‘Perfect place’: Athletes back bid to make surf lifesaving an Olympic sport on eve of World Champs