Gold Coast To Host Lifesaving World Championships 2024

The Gold Coast has won the right to host the 2024 Lifesaving World Championships after a 35-year hiatus.

The competition will be split between Kurrawa Beach and the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, with the economic impact estimated to exceed $15 million.

Tourism Industry Development Minister, Kate Jones, said the event would bring more than 5000 competitors from 50 countries to the Gold Coast over 17 days of competition.

“Last held here in 1988, we’ve brought the sport’s most prestigious event back to Queensland,” Minister Jones said.

“The lifesaving movement is part of the very fabric of the Gold Coast community, from Nippers right through to the elite ironmen and women, so it’s great to be able to secure this event for a city where it means so much.

“Tourism and Events Queensland, together with City of Gold Coast and Surf Lifesaving Queensland, have delivered another high-profile international event that will showcase this region to the world.”

With 17 days of action in late August and early September, more than 12,000 spectators and supporters are anticipated to attend across the duration of the event.

Surf Life Saving Queensland President, Mark Fife OAM, said it was incredibly exciting to see the Championships returning to the Gold Coast.

“Queensland is home to some of the world’s top beaches, many of them on the Gold Coast, and I can’t think of a better location to showcase our sport to the world,” he said.

“Some of lifesaving’s biggest names came up through the sport right here on the Gold Coast, and these championships will provide a new generation of athletes with the opportunity to make their own mark on the global stage.

Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate, said there was no better city to host the Championships.

“It is so fitting that we have been successful in our bid to host the World Championships.

“Our reputation as a world events city continues to shine,” Tate said.

“Our city lives and breathes surf lifesaving, with multiple current and former champions living here.

“We also have the facilities, technical support, accommodation and climate to welcome the 5000-plus entrants.

“This announcement is a historic day for the organisation and the Goldie, I can’t wait.’’

The Lifesaving World Championships were last held in Queensland in 1988.