Lifesaving World Championships, Rescue 2018, to be held in Adelaide

Adelaide has won the right to host the Lifesaving World Championships in late 2018.

Set to attract surf lifesavers from more than 40 countries, the two week-long event will run at venues including Glenelg beach and the South Australian State Aquatic Centre.

Rescue 2018 is the first event to be secured under the South Australian Government's Major Events Bid Fund and is expected to generate around $18 million for South Australia's economy.

Welcoming the announcement of Adelaide's hosting, South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill stated "we're expecting over 10,000 people, the overwhelming majority of them will come from interstate and overseas.

"Our local surf lifesavers have bid for this event and won it in their own right. It's a massive vote of confidence for surf lifesaving in South Australia."

Surf Lifesaving South Australia President John Baker said it was unanimous vote by the world governing body to hold the 2018 event in Adelaide.

Explaining that the event hosting was an exciting coup for South Australia, Baker explained "hosting Rescue 2018 will give us a great opportunity to profile our iconic sport as well as the important role we play as an emergency service.

"These events allow us to profile and build the support within our community for our active volunteers which then means we've got more life savers on the beach."

The New Zealand Black Fins are the current world surf lifesaving champions for having recently won the 2014 competition in France.

23rd September 2014 - BLACK FINS SECURE SECOND WORLD SURF LIFESAVING TITLE

1st April 2014 - SURF LIFE SAVING CHAMPIONSHIPS COMMENCE IN PERTH

9th November 2012 - WORLD’S BEST LIFESAVERS CONVERGE ON ADELAIDE FOR RESCUE 2012