Record number of competitors at 2022 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships on Gold Coast

A record 7,200 athletes from more than 300 surf clubs across Australia have arrived on the Gold Coast for the 2022 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships. 

The annual event, known as the Aussies, puts competitors' skills to the test in a range of beach and ocean competitions.

This year's event was originally meant to be held in Western Australia, but late last year the decision was made to shift to the Gold Coast due to border uncertainty.

Aussies Committee chair John Brennan said athletes were ready to go after a disruptive couple of years.

«We're ready to go with a record number of entries — just over 7,000 — over 1,000 more than we had in 2019, pre-COVID,» he said. 

«Sport in life saving is back, stronger than we've seen since the early nineties.

»On top of the athletes of over 7,000, close to 500 officials, water safety, medical, support staff, it's a big event.

«While it's a national championship, it's a great time to come together and catch up with everyone.»

Gold Coast deputy mayor Donna Gates said the event would deliver a boost to local accommodation providers.

«The Commonwealth Games was almost as big in terms of athlete numbers, but this tops it,» she said. 

«This is the biggest event that we've held in recent memory. 

»The aim of the city has been to increase bed nights, and this event does exactly that."   

Gold Coast ironman Matt Poole has a different mindset heading into this event — his final competition before retirement.

«Usually you're really nervous, you're focused on getting good results,» he said.

«This time it's about fun and enjoying those last couple of races with Northcliffe, my teammates and the whole club.»

The Northcliffe competitor shocked teammates when he told them there was a 50/50 chance he would