The iconic Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, affectionately known as The Aussies, will return to North Kirra Beach on the Gold Coast from 21- 29 March 2026, bringing with it more than 7,000 competitors, thousands of supporters, and one of the most celebrated participatory sporting events in the Southern Hemisphere.
The 2026 edition will feature more than 550 beach, ocean, surf boat, board riding, lifesaving and adaptive surf sports events – with clubbies from more than 300 surf clubs competing across Youth, Open and Masters age categories.
The event has again attracted an international field with defending Australian beach flags champion, Annah Abravanal (pictured below), representing her French Club Biarritz when she lines up against the best across the country.
“Aussies is the hardest championships in our sport, so you always need to be at 150%, you need to be ready and you need to be sharp,” Abravanal said.
“I’m ready mentally and physically and I’m excited to race here (again),” she said.
Surf Life Saving Australia CEO, Adam Weir, said: “The Australian Surf Life Saving Championships are a special time when our community comes together each year, not only to compete for national honours but to showcase the incredible lifesaving and rescue skills that define our sport.
“The talent, sportsmanship and camaraderie shown by our members is testament to our community each and every year.
“The Aussies is more than just a competition – it’s a celebration of Surf Life Saving and our volunteers who keep our beaches safe.”
Four-time Australian Ironman Champion Ali Day will compete in his final ever Ironman race representing Surfers Paradise. The 35-year-old Ironman is looking to finish out his career on top, having already won Surf Life Saving’s converted titles this season, the Shaw and Partners Coolangatta Gold and Iron Series crowns.
“I feel really excited heading into Aussies, it’s wild how fast our seasons go. I love the feeling of Aussies and love racing for Surfers Paradise in our team events.
“It would be the cherry on top if that was to happen (win another Aussie Ironman) however ticking off the Coolangatta Gold 25.6 and the Shaw and Partners Iron Series has made my year so special.
“I really couldn’t ask for anymore. I’ve had a few good weeks of training so I’m ready to get out there and race now for the final time,” he said.
Paris Olympic silver medalist Riley Fitzsimmons will trade his kayak paddle for surf ski, aiming to take his third Open Ski Australian title.
“They’re quite similar (Olympics and Aussies). Last year was definitely quick a nerve-wracking final in the Open Men’s Ski – we had six Olympic medallists lining up in that race, and three were Olympic gold medallists,” Fitzsimmons said.
“It was a really crazy experience to be in that race last year and I think even this year…the depth is crazy. Over 410 entries in the Open Men’s Ski so it’s shaping up to be another challenging week to get through even the heats.
“So I’m really looking forward to it but it’s equally as nerve wracking (as an Olympic final),” he said.
Hon. Andrew Powell, Minister for the Environment and Tourism said: “The Australian Surf Life Saving Championships helps cement Queensland’s position as Australia’s events capital, showcasing our iconic surf and beach culture on a national stage.
“Bringing around 15,000 visitors and an estimated $24.5 million economic boost, this event reflects the scale and impact of major events across Queensland.
“Importantly, the Championships strongly support our Destination 2045 ambition to double annual visitor expenditure to $84 billion.”
Gold Coast City Council Mayor, Tom Tate, said: “If statistics tell a story, this event has everything.
“More than 7000 competitors, 600 volunteers, 316 clubs, 570 beach, ocean and pool events and competitors aged from 12 to 87. It’s truly the greatest Surf Life Saving event anywhere in the world and we get to host it for the 30th time.
“Make a date with the Gold Coast in March and celebrate The Aussies with the best athletes in the business.’’
The program will include the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Nipper and Youth Championships, masters competition, open competition, and adaptive surf sports events. The Triple M Gold Aussies Ocean Swim, a 2km ocean race open to both SLSA members and the general public, will make its return featuring some of Australia’s best ocean athletes.
Competitors will range in age from 13 to over 80 years old, taking on disciplines from beach sprints, surfboard races and surf boat rowing, to ironman/ironwoman events combining swimming, board paddling, surf ski and running. Adaptive events will again ensure the championships are accessible and inclusive for competitors of all abilities.
The 2026 Championships are supported by Tourism and Events Queensland and Experience Gold Coast.
The Youth & Open competition (including surf boats) will be streamed live on SLSA YouTube, with open finals on Sunday 29 March to be live on Channel 10 & 10Play, in Australia.
For event details, including results, visit the event website.