KURRAWA REMAINS VENUE FOR WHEREIS® AUSTRALIAN SURF LIFE SAVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

March 17: The Whereis® Australian Surf Life Saving Championships has commenced at Kurrawa today, with the event likely to continue at Kurrawa tomorrow, conditions pending.

The expected large swells due to hit the east coast later this week have forced event organisers to look at contingency options available.

Surf Life Saving Australia's General Manager of Sport Grant Baldock said the contingency options available to them were not limited to relocating the entire event.

"We're working with other government agencies to gain the most up-to-date and accurate forecasts and we're monitoring conditions hourly," he said.

 "The safety and wellbeing of our competitors and officials is paramount so if conditions do deteriorate we will look at our contingency options.

"Relocating the entire event is one option available to us but it is by no means the only option.

"We have plans in place that include rescheduling the timetable to maximise the prevailing conditions currently experienced at Kurrawa.

"Other options also include the use of an alternative competition area at the existing site, moving event arenas along the beach, partial relocation away from Kurrawa as well as complete relocation away from Kurrawa.

"If the event was to partially or fully move from Kurrawa, there are a number of sites available to us but again these are dependant on conditions," said Baldock.

Masters competition will wrap up today, with the Open competition to kick start tomorrow.