Surf Life Saving Australia has today officially opened the early bird registrations for the 2021 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships (Aussies), to be held between April 16-24 on the Sunshine Coast.
Competitors from 314 club's nation-wide will compete in hundreds of events throughout nine intense days of competition across three locations – Alexandra Headlands, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba.
"Like everyone involved in surf lifesaving, we were very disappointed when we had to make the decision to cancel the Aussies in 2020 due to COVID-19, but we are super excited, positive and actively working towards the 2021 Aussies on the Sunshine Coast," said SLSA President Graham Ford AM.
"The SLSA Sport team under the management of Wayne Druery is working very closely with QLD Health Authorities and Sunshine Coast Council to ensure the event is COVID safe. It is a lengthy and complex process but we are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our competitors, officials and support staff.
"At this stage we are planning and working towards keeping the event as close as possible to the formats of past Aussies, but in reality, there may be some differences due to potential COVID-19 restrictions.
"Any changes will become clearer closer to the time and will follow the final COVID Safe Action Plan. As such, we will delay the release of the 2021 Aussies timetable until early February but the message to prospective competitors is that the Aussies in 2021 is on," Ford added.
Economy Portfolio Councillor Jason O'Pray said after such a brutal year, our hospitality and tourism industries are ready for the swell in visitor numbers that this event will bring.
"We have three strong clubs supporting the nine-day event and plenty of local talent entering what's known as the biggest Surf Life Saving carnival in Australia.
"Surf lifesaving is a sport for purpose – these people train and compete to always be 'rescue ready' and we look forward to welcoming participants, their families and friends here for an extended stay," Cr O'Pray said.
The 2021 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships is supported by the Sunshine Coast Council and by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and features on the It's Live! in Queensland events calendar.
Image: 2016 Aussies
