Life saving surf events scrapped after ironman death

Organisers of the Australian Surf Lifesaving championships on the Gold Coast have cancelled the weekend's water-based events following the death of 19-year-old champion surfer Saxon Bird on Friday.

The Sydney-based surf lifesaver got into difficulties in rough conditions off Kurrawa Beach while competing in the under-19 ironman event at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.

He was hit by his own ski and falling from his craft 150 metres from the beach and later died in hospital.

On Saturday morning, organisers of the event cancelled all water, craft and boat events in all age groups for the remainder of the championships. However, sand-based events would continue.

Bird, from Denistone, in Sydney's northwest, was representing the Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club. He is the second person to die in the championship's history.

The competition was suspended immediately following the tragedy, and Gold Coast Police Superintendent Jim Keogh said authorities would probe the conditions under which it was staged.

Surf Life Saving Australia Chief Executive Brett Williamson said surf lifesaving authorities would also investigate, stating "obviously we are co-operating with all the authorities, including the police, and a full investigation is under way."

Robert Gatenby, 15, a member of Kurrawa's under-18 boat crew, drowned at the 1996 nationals at the same beach, as Cyclone Beti ravaged the Queensland coast.

Saturday also saw Surf Life Saving Queensland close all beaches on the Gold Coast due to the rough conditions.

The organisation's lifesaving services manager George Hill urged people to keep out of the water at all beaches.

"The conditions along the coast have become extremely hazardous and we don't want people to put themselves at risk by swimming in dangerous unpatrolled locations," Hill said in a statement.

"People should also be mindful of conditions in and around river mouths and estuaries, as large amounts of debris wash into the river systems."

Hill said it's likely many people would go to the beach to check out the conditions, but he also urged caution with this, adding "a lot of people like to go down to the beach at times like these because the conditions look really spectacular, but there are also risks associated with that.

"People will need to be careful walking along the beach, because there may be surges that could sweep them away and erosion from high tides that could make some areas unsafe."
AAP

30th April 2009 - LIFEGUARDS CATCH MORE THAN JUST WAVES IN COFFS