As the world celebrates Olympic Day on 23 June, Australia’s surf lifesaving community is adding its voice to a campaign that is striving to see surf lifesaving included in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

A host of Australian Olympians spanning the sports of rowing, canoe sprint and swimming, all who began their athletic journeys in surf lifesaving, reflected on what it would mean to them to see the sport take its place on the world’s biggest stage.

The stories are a powerful reminder of the sport’s deep connection to Olympic disciplines and its unique blend of athleticism and community service.

Olympic silver medalist Riley Fitzsimmons said it would be special to see surf lifesaving make its Olympic debut in Brisbane.

“Without the early stages of my life being in surf lifesaving, I probably wouldn’t be the athlete I am today. I wouldn’t have been able to go to three Olympic Games,” Fitzsimmons said.

“It’s been massive, it’s made me into the athlete that I am today and provided me with a pathway into sprint kayaking,” he said.  

Olympian Ella Beere (Canoe Sprint Paris 2024) said an Olympic Games with surf lifesaving would both inspire and unite a future generation.

“It would bring together a community of people who just love looking after our beaches, looking after our people,” Beere said.

“I think that it would make more people want to come into Nippers, come into patrols and come into the surf lifesaving world if they know that there’s an opportunity to go to the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of sport,” she said.

Triple Olympian and Olympic gold and bronze medalist Ken Wallace OAM, emphasised the sport’s community impact.

“It’d be incredible to see lifesaving at the 2032 Olympics. It showcases so much of our rich history that we have in lifesaving,” Wallace said.  

“It’s a community-based sport. It’s not just getting the athletes involved. It’s getting the entire community involved with you,” he said.

The International Life Saving Federation and Surf Life Saving Australia are working together to lobby for inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, the first time the sport would be featured at an Olympics.

With more than 80,000 junior members in Australia and an extensive global lifesaving network, the sport is ready for its Olympic moment.