Today marks just one month until entries close for Lifesaving World Championships 2024, with registrations already coming in from across the country and around the globe.
With more than four weeks still to go, entries have been received from all the leading lifesaving countries as well as athletes from developing nations including Togo and Cameroon in Africa, Brazil in South America and the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East.
India’s growing emphasis on water safety is evident in their entry numbers with more than 60 competitors set to arrive on the Gold Coast in August.
Eighty-two year old Jan Logue from Tea Gardens-Hawks Nest SLSC in the NSW Hunter region is currently the oldest competitor registered for the event. Fresh from taking double gold at the 2024 Australian Masters Surf Life Saving Championships, Jan will be hoping to take the sprint-flags World Titles on the Gold Coast.
NSW Under 14 Flags champion Jessica Majsak (Ocean Beach) is currently the youngest competitor in the field with thousands more entries expected in the coming weeks.
“As we get closer and closer to the start of the Lifesaving World Championships 2024 we are starting to see the entries roll in,” said Ron Rankin AM, LWC 2024 Local Organising Committee Chair and Project Director. “As the northern hemisphere moves into its summer, athletes and clubs from Europe and North America continue to send their entries in and the international flavour of the World Championships becomes more evident by the day.”
Rankin said the breadth of nations which have already submitted entries is a positive indication of where the global lifesaving movement is heading.
“A lot of work has been done behind the scenes over many years to grow Lifesaving around the world and changes don’t happen overnight, but we are definitely seeing the benefit,” said Rankin. “The LWC 2024 Developing Nations Incentive Program has been an overwhelming success and there will be more national flags being flown than ever before at a Lifesaving World Championships.
“We’re now under three months until the first day of competition and the excitement is really ramping up.”
Squads continue to be named by countries competing in the National Teams events, while those intending to compete in the Interclub competitions must have their entries in by 5 July. Interclub competitions will be held in the Ocean and Pool events in Youth, Open and Masters, while Interclub competitions will also be held in IRBs and Surf Boats.
The Lifesaving World Championships 2024 is supported by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
