Lifesaving World Championships return to Gold Coast after 36 years

The 2024 Lifesaving World Championships are set to commence on the Gold Coast on Friday 23rd August having last hosted the event in 1988. The Championships include an array of competitions from Masters to Surf Boats, Pool Rescue and Inflatable Rescue Boats, and National Teams.

Pool Rescue events will be held at Gold Coast Aquatic Centre with Beach and Ocean events taking place at Kurrawa Beach in Broadbeach.

Over 5,800 participants, 1,000 officials, and 1,500+ international competitors from more than 50 countries have already started arriving on the Gold Coast with organisers looking forward to the long-awaited event.

The Masters competition begins on the 23rd August, to be followed by 17 days of events including the National Teams competition where Australia will be looking to defend their title.

Following the National Teams competition, athletes will compete in the Interclub events with a host of returning Olympians set to compete including Alyce Wood, Aly Bull, Ally Clarke, Riley Fitzsimmons and Jackson Collins.

LWC 2024 Chairman Ron Rankin noted “It is hard to believe that it’s been nearly 40 years since the Gold Coast has hosted the Lifesaving World Championships, but the wait will certainly be worth it when competition starts on Friday,.

“The sense of camaraderie is already building as we welcome the traditional powerhouses of the sport along with developing nations where the fundamentals of lifesaving are so incredibly important.”

All nations will come together on Tuesday 27th August when the Opening Ceremony will include a parade of nations through Broadbeach and culminate in a live performance from popstar and former Nipper, Cody Simpson.

Like the rest of the World Championships, the event is open to the public and completely free. 

The Championships is set to inject more than $19 million into the local community.

Australian team members Lana Rogers and Corey Fletcher (pictured above) met with organisers and officials as they "prepare to take on the world"

Experience Gold Coast Chief Executive John Warn added “as the Gold Coast builds on its reputation as a major sporting event destination, we're excited to welcome to our city the World Lifesaving Championships and thousands of athletes, officials and supporters from all over the globe.

“This promises to be one of the biggest international sporting events ever held in Queensland, providing not just a welcome economic boost for our city but also the opportunity to showcase our incredible destination to a global audience.”

Lifesaving World Championships 2024 starts on Friday 23rd August and continues through Sunday 8th September.

The Lifesaving World Championships is supported by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.

More information on the events at www.lwc2024.com/ 

Images. Credit: Lifesaving World Championships 2024 FB