The countdown is on for the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships which will lure 6000 competitors to the Sunshine Coast.
Participants from clubs around the country will converge for ‘The Aussies’ at Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba from April 16-24.
The nine-day carnival, last held in the region in 2016, is set to inject millions of dollars into the local economy.
There is renewed enthusiasm for this year’s edition too, after last year’s event on the Gold Coast was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are now just four short weeks away from our biggest sport event of the year and everyone associated with the event is super excited,” SLSA National Sport Manager Wayne Druery said.
“It has certainly been a long time since the Aussies in 2019.
“We had a fantastic event up here in 2016 and look forward to it being even better in 2021.
“Everyone associated with the event such as Tourism and Events Queensland, Sunshine Coast Regional Council and the three host surf clubs in Alexandra Headland, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba have been fantastic with their support for this event for not only the competitors but also the local community.”
The carnival should deliver a multimillion-dollar boost to the region, via visitors’ spending and nationwide exposure.
Meanwhile, the athletes will have a great chance to showcase their ability in front of supporters and spectators.
The Aussies traditionally attracts 7000 competitors and 20,000 supporters but post-Covid, 6000 competitors and 15,000-plus supporters are more realistic numbers.
Surf Life Saving Australia has been working hard behind the scenes to produce a COVID-Safe event that still has the same excitement and energy that the annual events always has.
“Surf Life Saving Australia, volunteers and officials have been working very hard to ensure that we are delivering a COVID-safe that still incorporates all of the elements that we all know and love about Aussies,” Mr Druery said.
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“Every athlete, manager, official and volunteer will need to pre-register for the event through our registration system from which an individual RFID will be created for every person that is trackable throughout the Aussies site, so we are able to locate and minimise the risk of any COVID-19 infection and transmission.”
The first Aussies was held in 1915 and was created to challenge and test the skills required by the nation’s surf lifesavers in a competitive environment to ensure that they are always “Rescue Ready’.
The theme for the Aussies in 2021 is “Rescue Ready” in acknowledgement of the all-round skills and commitments the competitors have to lifesaving as both competitors as well as patrolling members who volunteer their time to keep the Australian coastline safe.
The Aussies provides the opportunity for patrolling members to test their skills against the best of the best from across the country.
Local competitors from the host clubs Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba SLSC’s were set to gather at Alexandra Headland on Friday to celebrate the milestone and in anticipation for this year’s event.
The Australian Surf Life Saving Championships will be held at Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland Mooloolaba from April 16 – 24.
Events including ironman, ironwoman, board, ski, surf race, surfboats and beach sprint and flags will be spread across Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba beaches.
Some disciplines, such as the first aid competition and board riding, will be held as far north as Coolum and south to Dicky Beach.
Athletes will compete in Youth, Masters and Open divisions.
