SURF LIFESAVING PAYS TRIBUTE TO SAXON BIRD

March 21: Surf lifesaving members turned out in their thousands this morning to remember Queenscliff under-19 competitor Saxon Bird who drowned while competing at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships on Friday.

The championships' annual ecumenical service was turned into a tribute to Bird, who was an Australian championships gold medallist and the reigning NSW under-19 Ironman champion.

The sands of Kurrawa Beach on the Gold Coast, where the accident occurred, were covered by a huge gathering that included members of his club, fellow competitors, carnival and Surf Life Saving Australia officials, and many others moved by the tragedy.

Balloons in the red and blue colours of Queenscliff were released and clubmates Tom and Ben Atkinson carried a wreath through a guard of honor and let it loose in the Kurrawa waves.

A statement from Bird's parents, Phil and Dana, and his sister, Arielle, was read as part of the service.

"Saxon Bird was an amazing, beautiful person," the statement said.

"Saxon's happy, energetic and often cheeky attitude towards life made him loved and cherished by all that knew him.

"His success, happy-go-lucky attitude and behaviour made him a role model to all around him and looked up to by all his peers and younger members of the surf life saving community.

"Saxon lived life to the fullest; he was a top bloke and loved all of his family and friends dearly.

"Saxon will be deeply missed by all those that knew him - his parents have lost a loving son, his sister her best friend."

Earlier, the carnival's traditional march past, which was led by the Queenscliff team, was joined by hundreds of other competitors in a moving show of strength.

Some marched with tears rolling down their cheeks.

An IRB rescue craft was carried into the arena in recognition of the water safety crews that searched for Saxon for almost an hour on Friday before his body was recovered.

Quenscliff club president David Piper said his grieving members had been overwhelmed by the support they had received during the past two days.

He said he was particularly moved by the gesture of arch-rival club Manly, whose competitors during the past two days have worn the Queenscliff colours on their sky blue caps.

Competition at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships was suspended after Friday's tragedy and all water events for the remainder of the carnival were cancelled yesterday.

Beach events continue today, the final day of the championships, with the gold medals to be decided in the beach flags events, where Simon Harris of Northcliffe will be attempting to win his eighth national open championship.

South Port (correct) from South Australia won today's open march past competition, with the under-23 title going to another SA club, Brighton, while North Bondi took the under-17 title.