After a fiery start to day one of competition, National Youth Team athletes from around the world have been sharing their experiences and preparation strategies at the 2024 Lifesaving World Championships on the Gold Coast.

With competitors flying in weeks ahead of the event, the focus has been on adjusting to local conditions and honing their skills.

Three weeks ago, Nikita Seren Nijssen and her team made the journey from France to Australia.

The extra time has allowed them to overcome jet lag and train in conditions unique to Australian beaches.

Reflecting on the preparation, Nijssen noted, “It’s so good. The shorey can be quite tough, and it’s quite different from our beaches in France, so it’s good.”

As the captain of the French Youth team, Nijssen emphasised the importance of early arrival.

“It is quite beneficial,” she said. “As the captain of the French team, I can tell my mates how it is, and they can learn the conditions.

“We all came over quite early to learn the conditions and train here, which has been quite good.”

Having trained with Northcliffe for the past two years, Nijssen has become a familiar face in the local surf scene.

“I have been here for quite some time; they have definitely come to me to ask some advice, which is good,” she added.

Nijssen has already secured a bronze medal in the Oceanwoman event and is optimistic about her upcoming races.

 “Today, I have the board and ski. I hope to do well in that,” she said with determination.

Meanwhile the Great Britain team, led by Charlotte Hart, arrived a week and a half before the competition.

 Hart believes the timing was perfect to familiarise the whole team with the conditions.

“It was a good amount of time to learn the conditions, especially for team events like board rescue,” Hart explained.

Hart, who trains at Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park, has the advantage of local knowledge.

“Since I train here, I know the conditions, especially the potholes—not all countries have potholes, so we can work on getting through that, as well as getting through the shorey.”

Having never trained with her Board Rescue teammate Maisy Hawkins before, Hart saw the training camp as an opportunity to maximize their practice time.

“In the training camp, we took it to our advantage to do lots of practice,” she shared.

As the competition unfolds, Hart is eager to see how her team performs.

“We are one big team; we want to do the best we can to get as high up on the point score as we can.”

Hart has already placed second in the Oceanwomen final behind Burleigh clubmate and best friend Jasmine Rayward.

She is especially looking forward to the board and ski finals this afternoon.