Story: Courtesy of SLSA

New South Wales young surf lifesavers have won the inaugural Pathways Interstate Championships held on Tuesday 01 April, as part of the ‘Aussies’ on the Gold Coast.   

The U14/U15 competitions saw many athletes backing up from the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Youth Australian Surf Life Saving Championships to represent their State across the beach and water events. The sky blue of NSW took out the overall championships, with the overall title going down to the wire in the final beach flags. 

Tasmania’s Freja Harris and Olya Mihal were happy to be part of the Pathways Interstate Championships on the Gold Coast and the opportunity to represent their State proudly. 

Freja said: “This is really cool to represent Tasmania. I don’t think I ever thought I’d go this well in my sport and represent Tasmania.  It’s a real confidence boost. 

“I think it’s quite a privilege to be racing on the same beach as the Ironman and Ironwomen that have made the Iron Series and that are from places that don’t get much coverage like Tassie.” 

Olya said: “It feels very crazy to be in the Tassie uniform, and to be able to meet all these people from across Australia. 

“Being on different sand, competing on different beaches… it’s so hot here in Queensland compared to Tassie.

“Here at the Aussies it is so awesome to see everyone compete cause you don’t get to see that in Tassie.”

The Australian Surf Life Saving Championships are continuing on the Gold Coast with the Opens competition commencing Wednesday 2 April 2025 through until Sunday 6 April.  For more details click here. 

OVERALL Results - Pathways Interstate Championships

1. NSW - 72 points 2. QLD - 65 points 3. WA - 53 points 4. VIC - 34 points 5. TAS - 24 points 

For full results, click here.