Our last medallist from the Open Australian Championships Jett Milford -Ferguson. The ‘OG’ Surfers Beachie. This is Jett’s 6th season racing under Simon Harris, after 5 years dominating age group Beach Flags, this year Jetty was in Open Men’s for the first time. A big step up. But Jetty turned up this season ready to take that step. Although illness hampered the start of his season, he still turned up to every session, did strides and supported the team. He looked impressive all year. Then in the big show he stepped up like a seasoned pro and rubbed shoulders with the “A graders” and fitted in like he’d been there for years. His ability to ‘Switch on’ and adapt to anything thrown in his direction, shows maturity beyond his young age when it comes to the big events. Jett claimed a hard fought Silver medal in the Open Men’s Beach Flags in a quality field. We all know that if he continues on this path he will be a dominate force for years to come.
Open Australian Championships. The ‘Delaware Destroyer’ Lainey Shockro created history by becoming the first American athlete to win an individual medal at the Australian Championships claiming Bronze in the Open Women’s Beach Flags. Narrowly beaten by former World & Aussie champions. After joining the Surfers Beachies in August 2025 with a goal of improving her flags for the upcoming US season, Lainey had no expectations for the Australian season. Coach Simon Harris saw her potential, with a unique flags start (reminiscent of the great Michael Jones) Simon recognised the need for more strength and tailored her program and fine tuning her lightning fast turn. Their focus quickly shifted to the Aussies. Lainey’s dedication and single minded commitment to training showed in her results. Whilst bronze was an amazing achievement, we know that Lainey is not content and will be striving to improve on that placing. At only 20 years old there will be a lot more Aussie medals in Lainey’s future. Now bring on the US season 💪🏻
Open Australian Championships. Sooke Paley had a breakthrough Aussies this year, claiming her first medal after placing 4th at the last 2 Australian Championships. This season as a first year under 17, we thought it could be a tough year racing older girls. But we have all been telling this kid how good she is. It took a long and hard conversation with the coach after state to get her to realise that the only pressure she feels comes from herself and the advice he gave was to ‘run free’ and run free she did! She found another 2 gears, lifted big time and ran to her full potential to claim the Silver medal in the u17 Women’s Beach Flags. This result had a few of us fighting back tears and it was hugs all round. It all just clicked on the biggest stage and we were all so happy for Sooke. It’s only up from here.
Next up in our Open Australian Championships was our U17’s. Jayvyn Johnson aka Boltface has spent the last 2 years focusing on NFL Flag Football, attending all of our squad track sessions working on his speed and achieving great success representing Australia and travelling overseas multiple times. Unfortunately his flag football has clashed with our flags sessions and all of our carnivals in that time. Bolt was able to make it to Aussies this year claiming the Bronze medal in the U17 men’s beach flags. The pressure was off and the speed he’s been working on really showed. Before his final his coach talked him through what he had to do, Simon explained “the rule of the day is keep your flags start simple and focus on the basics and his acceleration will get him through” Bolt listened and executed the game plan to perfection. He really is a freak athlete and can achieve great things in both flag football and beach flags.
Our Open Australian Championships started in the U19’s. Lily Alford had a super tough year with injury and illness seeing her having to miss training and carnivals all year. There was even some doubt as to whether she would be able to race at Aussies. But off a very short prep Lily stepped on to the beach track and claimed a close Silver medal in the U19 Women’s Beach Flags. This medal is above and beyond what we could hope for Lily in such an interrupted season, true talent and determination broke through and she showed what an amazing competitor she is. Can’t wait to see what she can do in Open competition next year with a full season training. Well done Gracie, you should be proud of yourself.
7 days ago, Lainey Shockro the ‘Delaware Destroyer’ created history, winning a Bronze medal in the Open Women’s Beach Flags at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, the first for an American athlete. But the job is not done yet, Lainey was back to the grind this morning, U.S Nationals in August here we come….WATCH THIS SPACE
Proud is an absolute understatement. We are very lucky to have the GOAT Simon Harris as our coach. I’m definitely biased but I see the amount of time, support and passion he has for all his athletes. It showed in this team’s results. Sprints saw Lily 5th in U19 women’s an awesome effort after a tough year with illness and injury. Harry and Swayde from Mordialloc claiming Silver & Bronze in U19 sprints respectively. Beach Flags, started with U19’s, Swayde claiming Bronze just behind Lily with a Silver medal, for the 2nd year in a row, we can’t wait to see her in opens next year with an uninterrupted season. Harry impressed again taking out Gold in U19 Flags & being selected in the Australian squad. Then our U17’s stepped in to the pit. Sooke has had a tough year, with results not coming, but on the big stage she put it all together, having us all in tears of joy with Silver in the U17 Women’s. Next was Jayvyn (Boltface) with his focus the last 2 years being on Flag Football, representing Australia. Bolt grabbed a Bronze medal in U17 Men’s. Next up Opens. Our women’s team consisted of new mum and beach flags legend EJ chasing her 7th title racing for Currumbin, Annah the defending champion from France racing for Biarritz (winning for Surfers last year) and our own ‘Delaware Destroyer’ Lainey racing for Surfers via the USA. All 3 ladies were super impressive, with Lainey taking Bronze, the first individual medal at the Australian Championships for an American athlete, something to be very proud of. The final run came down to EJ and Annah, no matter the result, both women would be crowned Gold medallists. Annah was successful in the final run, although EJ will be recorded as the Australian champion, an amazing effort off limited training and raising a 7 month old, true mum strength and an inspiration to all, you will definitely be missed in our squad. Jett lined up in his first year in open’s fighting the whole way to grab Silver, super impressive for a kid who started training with Simon at age 14, big things to come for this kid in the future. So bloody proud of this team and what they have achieved, a big shout out to all our amazing supporters and parents.
Big congrats to Lainey Shock! 3rd place beach flags at the 2026 Aussie National Lifesaving Championships. She shared the podium with 3 world champions who collectively have 10+ Aussie beach flag championships titles.
Today we will see EJ Forsyth attempt to claim her 7th Australian Open Women’s Beach Flags Title at North Kirra. EJ hasn’t raced since Aussies 2024 where she claimed her 6th title in a row. This year her training and preparation has been vastly different after having son Spencer in August. True Mum Strength will be on show today. We at the Surfers Beachies have had the pleasure of training with EJ all through her career, coached by our own GOAT Simon Harris, her presence at training has made our squad better, her dedication and professionalism is second to none, an awesome example and we have been lucky to have her. Smash it today EJ, but I know Spencer will be proud of mum no matter what the result.
