DURING the 1990’s, lifesavers in Australia were renowned worldwide, meeting celebrities like Madonna and starring on Baywatch alongside David Hasslehoff.
Lifesavers competed in the Uncle Toby’s Super Series and the Nutri Grain Iron Series, athletes had the opportunities win mega money.
Ky Hurst made the UTSS and won it by the age of 17, he told Solent Sports News before his 18th birthday he had racked up over $75,000 AUD.
“I bought my first house on the Gold Coast as a teenager.
“I was very fortunate, I didn’t come from a lot of money, but I was lucky enough to win a lot,” Hurst said.
Hurst went onto compete for Australia at the Beijing and London Olympics in the open water 10km swim.
Michael King competed in both series during the 90s, and recalls Madonna waiting for him and other athletes at the airport.
“We got off the plane at Los Angeles, and Madonna was there waiting for us.
“Lifesavers now wouldn’t be able to comprehend the scale of the sport back then.
“We competed on Huntington beach in California, the crowds were massive… we’d party late at night in LA with huge celebrities,” King recalls.
However, lifesavers now often have to work part or full time alongside their training and racing.
Alistair Day is regarded as one of lifesaving greatest ever, end has now called time on his career this year.
Alongside his career, Day started a his on gym chain on the Gold Coast alongside friends.
Despite a catalogue of victories, Day will enter full time work upon retirement.
Day told Solent Sports News: “I’ve applied for the New South Wales Fire and Rescue, that will start later this year upon medical.
“If I wanted all the money in the world I would’ve taken up footy or rugby, but I love this sport and I’m thankful for all it’s given me.
“I’ve been lucky enough later in my career to have great sponsors like Shaw and Partners… when we were younger we used to joke around who are you sponsored by… M&D… Mum and Dad.”
Current World Champion Joe Collins moved to the Gold Coast from New Zealand at the age of 17 to chase the lifesaving dream.
While he might be the current World Champion, Collins still has to work part time.
“I have a Bachelors degree in accounting, and I work very part time in accounting now on the Gold Coast.
“How much I work, very much depends on how much I win,” Collins Said.
However, lifesaving has launched a bid to be included in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, which could change the trajectory of the sport.
In 2024 the World Ocean Series was born, which now boasts over a million AUD in prize money each year, spanning across nine months and five countries.
You can find out more on the Rise and Fall of lifesaving here:
