With 100 days remaining until the start of the Lifesaving World Championships 2026, preparations are accelerating across the global lifesaving community as teams confirm their athletes and host nation South Africa edges towards the final phase of readiness.
The milestone comes amid a flurry of team announcements. Over recent weeks, several nations have confirmed their squads, including South Africa, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, the Netherlands and Great Britain. On Friday, defending the youth and national teams champions Australia unveiled a combined 24‑strong national and youth team, signalling their intent to retain the titles they secured at Lifesaving World Championship 2024 on the Gold Coast.
The Championships, set to take place from 25 November at Port Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay, will bring officials and volunteers from across the global lifesaving community together for a celebration of lifesaving sport.
For South African athletes, the opportunity to compete at home adds both motivation and significance.
Among the athletes preparing for the event is Nicholas Pretorius of Kings Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, who has emerged as one of South Africa’s most promising young competitors.
Pretorius represented South Africa in both swimming and lifesaving over the past year, including at the International Surf Rescue Challenge in New Zealand, an experience he says strengthened his commitment to the sport.
Speaking about the significance of representing South Africa, Pretorius said:
“Representing South Africa in swimming and lifesaving is about far more than winning medals. Wearing the green and gold is a privilege and a responsibility. It means carrying the values of courage, commitment, integrity, and service while striving to inspire others to pursue their own goals with passion and determination.”
Fellow South African competitor Zoe Beresford, from Clifton Surf Lifesaving Club, is also preparing for the Championships following a steady rise through the ranks.
After discovering a love of lifesaving at the age of 12, it wasn’t long before Beresford found her passion in beach flags. She’s earned selection to the Western Province Lifesaving Team for six consecutive years and also represented South Africa at the International Surf Rescue Challenge in New Zealand.
Now a second‑year BCom Industrial Psychology student at Stellenbosch University, Beresford says her focus is on continual improvement.
“Representing my country means a lot to me as I get to showcase my skills to the world and it reminds me of how far I have come in this sport. It is a goal I have been working extremely hard to reach since I was younger and now being able to look back and remember this was something I dreamed of is an amazing feeling.”
With the 100‑day mark reached, organisers, teams and volunteers are entering the final stretch of preparation. As national squads continue to be announced and training intensifies, anticipation is building for a world‑class showcase of lifesaving sport and for South Africa, an opportunity to welcome the international lifesaving community to its shores.
With the price of entry rising on 1 September, if you planning to compete at Lifesaving World Championships 2026, now is the time to enter. Visit the event website for more details.