- Australian Surf Life Saving Championships return to Western Australia in 2028
- More than 4,500 volunteer surf lifesavers to compete at Scarborough and Trigg Beaches
- Events form important part of Cook Labor Government's strategy to diversify the State's economy and support tourism and more local jobs for Western Australians
The Australian Surf Life Saving Championships are set to return to Western Australia in 2028, with Scarborough and Trigg Beaches hosting nine days of fierce competition.
Supported by the Cook Labor Government, the return of the iconic event is expected to attract more than 4,500 athletes and around 9,000 combined volunteer surf lifesavers, officials and supporters from across Australia, delivering a significant boost to the State's visitor economy.
Affectionately known as "the Aussies", the Championships are the pinnacle of the surf life saving calendar and bring together competitors from Australia's 316 surf clubs to contest national titles across Youth, Masters and Open age categories.
Over 4,500 participants will compete in more than 550 beach and ocean events, showcasing the exceptional skill, fitness and dedication of Australia's volunteer surf lifesavers.
The 2028 event marks the return of the Championships to Western Australia following the successful 2023 event, which generated millions of dollars for the local economy while showcasing Perth's stunning coastline to a national audience.
Scarborough and Trigg Beaches will once again provide a spectacular backdrop for the Championships, with competitors and visitors set to experience Western Australia's world-class beaches, vibrant coastal lifestyle and renowned hospitality.
Hosting the Championships supports local jobs, Western Australian businesses, accommodation providers, and hospitality operators through the influx of out-of-State visitors who will boost the visitor economy.
The return of the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships forms part of the Cook Labor Government's diversification strategy to grow Western Australia's calendar of major events, drive visitation and showcase the State as a leading destination for sport and tourism events.
For more information, visit sls.com.au.
As stated by Premier and Tourism, Trade and Investment Minister Roger Cook:
"The return of the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships to Western Australia in 2028 will provide a significant boost to our visitor economy while also showcasing Western Australia's spectacular coastline to a national audience.
"Scarborough and Trigg Beaches are true Western Australian gems, offering an ideal setting for competitors, spectators and the wider surf life saving community, and I'm excited to welcome them back to Perth for what promises to be a memorable event.
"Mass participation events like the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships play an important role in diversifying our economy.
"They support local jobs and businesses for Western Australians through an influx of visitors, and boosting our State's reputation as the nation's premier events destination."
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti:
"We're incredibly excited to be bringing the Aussies back to Western Australia and to showcase our world-class beaches to competitors from all over the country.
"For the thousands of young Western Australians involved in local nippers and surf lifesaving programs, this event is an amazing opportunity to watch the best of the best in action and inspire the next generation of lifesavers.
"This event also shines a spotlight on the incredible work our volunteer surf lifesavers do every day to keep our beaches and communities safe."
As stated by Scarborough MLA Stuart Aubrey:
"Scarborough is Perth's premier beachside destination, and Scarborough and Trigg are two of the busiest beaches in Western Australia, so there could hardly be a better place to host the Aussies.
"The 2023 Aussies were a huge success, bringing thousands of competitors and supporters to our coastline and delivering a real boost for local businesses.
"Trigg Island and Scarboro Surf Life Saving Clubs are at the heart of our coastal community, and it's fantastic that the Aussies will return in 2028 to once again showcase our clubs, our community and our incredible coastline to the rest of Australia."
