More than 8,000 entries have been received for this yearâ„¢s NRMA Insurance Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, breaking all previous records.

8,220 surf lifesavers had entered by the time entries closed at midnight on Monday, and with late entries accepted right up until 5.00pm the day prior to individual events, organisers are now anticipating nearly 8,500 competitors will be on the beach at Kurrawa from 28 March to 2 April.

More than 8,000 entries have been received for this year’s NRMA Insurance Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, breaking all previous records.

8,220 surf lifesavers had entered by the time entries closed at midnight on Monday, and with late entries accepted right up until 5.00pm the day prior to individual events, organisers are now anticipating nearly 8,500 competitors will be on the beach at Kurrawa from 28 March to 2 April.

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) CEO, Greg Nance said that in terms of participation, the Championships will eclipse all other major events in 2006, including even the Commonwealth Games, which, by comparison expects only 4,500 athletes.

“Attendance at the ‘Aussies’ has steadily increased from around 5,200 ten years ago to 7,439 last year, however these numbers have exceeded our expectations, to the point that in terms of participation it is now the biggest event conducted by a national sporting organisation (NSO) in the world,” he said.

“As this will be the last time the Championships will be held at Kurrawa for a number of years, our members have obviously decided that they are going to join us in celebrating a great event at a fantastic venue.”

Mr Nance said that the Championships will provide another opportunity to encourage members to book early for next year’s event, which will be held at Scarborough Beach in Western Australia.