Tassie athletes shine on the Gold Coast at the Coolangatta Gold
Carlton Park SLSC’s Jayde Richardson crossing the line in first place for the Coolangatta Dash.
Wednesday 21 October 2026
Carlton Park SLSC’s Jayde Richardson led a standout weekend for Tasmanian surf sports at the Shaw and Partners Coolangatta Gold, winning the Coolangatta Dash just a day after racing the gruelling Coolangatta Gold 25.6.
Richardson spent the winter targeting her ski paddling after identifying it as her weakest leg last year, and that work showed on Saturday. She crossed the line 45th overall (female) in the Coolangatta Gold 25.6 and second in the 30-39 category.
Richardson returned on Sunday for the Coolangatta Dash, the 3.25km run-swim-run course with a 1km ocean swim in the middle. She took out the Open Female category, a well-deserved result for her incredible efforts across the weekend.
There was more to celebrate in the elite field, where Tasmanian-born Matt Bevilacqua claimed the Coolangatta Gold 25.6 title. While Bevilacqua no longer competes for a Tasmanian club, he began his surf lifesaving journey at Clifton Beach SLSC, and his win was a proud moment for the Tassie surf sports community.
In Saturday’s Coolangatta Gold Sprint, Burnie SLSC’s Archie Munday made the most of his time acclimatising on the Gold Coast, finishing 36th overall (male) and 20th in the U17 category. Clubmate Ellie Rayner made her Coolangatta Gold debut, finishing 51st overall in the female field and 26th in the U17 category, a strong result after using the race as motivation to get through the Tassie winter. Bridport SLSC’s Tim Innes finished 62nd overall (male) and 39th in the U17 category.
Tasmania’s masters athletes also showed plenty of class over the Sprint course. Clifton Beach SLSC’s Richard Boult finished fifth in the 60+ category and 97th overall (male), while Carlton Park SLSC’s Shayne Jupp placed 13th in the 50-59 category and 95th overall (male).
For Jupp, the race was the reward for months of preparation.
“It’s 20 weeks of work all culminating in a warm water race that has such prestige attached to it,” Jupp said.
“The pros and legends of the sport are so generous with sharing their space and their story, which makes the trip such a connective opportunity.”
Burnie SLSC’s Luke and Rebecca O’Garey teamed up with friends Shane and Melissa Askew as Blister Sisters & The Boys, finishing seventh in the Mixed category and third in the 190+ Combined Age division.
Tasmania’s youth contingent also made its mark in Sunday’s Youth Challenge, which saw U11 to U15 surf lifesavers take on the Coolangatta Gold course with a 350m swim, 450m board paddle and about 1km of running.
Burnie SLSC’s Kirra Lambie was the standout, finishing second in the U13 Female event. Clubmate Jaye Lambie placed 12th in the U11 Female division, Lily O’Garey finished 23rd in the U15 Female race and Clifton Beach SLSC’s Stuart Innes was 39th in the U15 Male field.
Maggie Innes (Bridport SLSC) and Arley Vickery (Carlton Park SLSC) showed great courage in putting their toes on the line against some of the best surf athletes in the country.
The Tasmanian team was well supported across the weekend, with commentators Ty Dowker and Jenny Parry generous in their praise every time a Tassie athlete approached the finish line.
Jupp said the days leading into the event were just as important as the racing itself.
“The few days leading were really important to the vibe of the tribe, and how we all congregated and supported each other was critical to celebrating a long, cold winter of training,” he said.
“Everyone on this beach in their club colours would activate collectively in a heartbeat to ensure our communities are safe and able to return home to their families. That’s a unity no other sport can provide.”
Congratulations to all of our Tasmanian athletes who made the trip north and represented their clubs and the state with pride.
For results from the Coolangatta Gold 25.6, Sprint and Dash, click here.
For all results from the Youth Challenge, click here.
