More than 21,000 competitors, spectators and volunteer officials will descend on Manly, Queenscliff and Freshy when the 2022 NSW Surf Life Saving Championships returns to Sydney after five years based at Lake Macquarie.
Taking place from 24 February through to 13 March 2022, the biggest event on the NSW surf sports calendar will see members from clubs across the state compete over an extended 12 days of fierce competition.
Queenscliff, North Steyne and Freshwater Surf Life Saving Clubs (SLSCs) will play host to the competition in years, starting with Junior Championships and moving through Lifesaving, Masters and Open Championships before closing with the Surfboat competition.
Northern Beaches Council Mayor Michael Regan said the event could not come at a better time for the local community.
“We are so proud to host the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships, showcasing Surf Life Saving at its very best,” Mayor Regan said. “This major event will drive our local economy and support local businesses as they recover from the Covid-19 pandemic – especially our hospitality and accommodation providers.
“Supporting events like this is all part of our broader plan to grow our visitor economy, while protecting our environment and serving the best interests of our community.”
The Mayor and Manly MP James Griffin attended the formal announcement that the Beaches was the chosen destination at a press event on Friday, 5 November 2021. We were unable to attend and thank the NSW SLS communications team for providing this information via media release.
The NSW Surf Life Saving Championships, supported by Your local club, is the marquee event for Surf Life Saving NSW and is expected to bring an economic benefit well in excess of $10 million to the host region through accommodation, hospitality and associated local and visitor spend.
“We’re very excited to be bringing this event back to Sydney,” Surf Life Saving NSW President, George Shales said.
“We are looking forward to working with the local community over the duration of the Championships to add to the vibrancy of this historic stretch of beach. With three great beaches preparing to host thousands of people over the three-week period, we’re certain that 2022 will produce the best event we’ve ever had.”
The Championships will showcase the athletic abilities and core Surf Life Saving rescue skills of members from Under 9s through to Masters. NSW leads the other states in surf sports and the Championships will be packed full of talent across all age categories and race disciplines.
Headlining the Open Championships will be names familiar to the sporting public such as champion Ironperson competitors Kendrick Louis (Manly LSC) and Jemma Smith (Newport SLSC) who both feature prominently on the national professional Ironperson circuit.
For info on the event go to www.surflifesaving.com.au
