On Saturday 21 February, the best masters athletes from across the state will gather at Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club to compete for the 2026 Tasmanian Masters Championships from 8am AEDT.

Carlton Park SLSC competitor Don Marsh is looking forward to a cracking weekend filled with great competition. 

“First of all, it looks like the weather is going to be fantastic. It’s also been many years since the Tasmanian Masters Championships has been held in the south of the state,” he said.

“It’s going to be both serious and fun, but it’s all about participation. We’ve got three surf boats competing and there’s a strong group competing in the beach events too.”

Carlton Park SLSC has won the overall point score for the event over the last four years, which Marsh said it great motivation for the club.

“We do have a big contingent, as does Clifton Beach SLSC - it’s going to make for a good contest,” he said.

Carlton Park SLSC will lead from the front with national medal-winning female athletes including Anna Sargent, Jayde Richardson, Anne Henderson and Amy Franklin. Burnie SLSC’s Annette Lakeland will also be one to watch as a past Australian Masters Champion, as well as Clifton Beach SLSC’s Meisha Austin.

Among the men, fellow clubmate of Marsh’s, Jamie Stubbs has been on the podium at the Australian Masters Championships for the last two years. Michael Moschogianis, in the 50-59 category for Carlton Park SLSC, is expected to also compete boldly and Joe Watson won his age group in the Coolangatta Gold two years ago. 

To compete against the Carlton Park group will be Warwick Lovell of Clifton Beach SLSC, which Marsh said he will be tough to beat in his age group in the ironman, ski and swim events for 40+.

Burnie’s Craig Machen will be one of Marsh’s top competitors. Machen is a past state champion in board and ski events. 

The Tasmanian Masters Championships is an ideal lead-in event for the athletes going on to compete in the Aussies at North Kirra, QLD next month.