# 2026 Lifesaving World Championships preparations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/2026-lifesaving-world-championships-preparations
> Updated: 2026-08-16T16:52:40.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 3.

Preparations are underway for the Lifesaving World Championships to be hosted in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. 

Lifesaving South Africa has announced its national squads for the event, which will feature both Open and Youth divisions. The South African Open division is led by captains Joshua Fenn and Nicola Harcus, with notable athletes including world champion Eve Abrahams and Matthew Coetzee. 

In support of the upcoming championships, Surf Life Saving Australia and the Royal Life Saving Society Australia have named a 24-member Australian Life Saving Team. This squad, comprising 12 Open and 12 Youth members, will attempt to defend their titles during the competition.

As the event approaches its scheduled start on 25 November in Nelson Mandela Bay, preparations are accelerating. With approximately 100 days remaining, the host nation is entering its final phase of readiness. International participation is being confirmed by several nations, including New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, the Netherlands, and Great Britain. Among the South African competitors preparing for the event are Nicholas Pretorius and Zoe Beresford.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-16: South Africa prepares for 2026 Lifesaving World Championships

South Africa is entering the final stages of preparation for the 2026 Lifesaving World Championships in Port Elizabeth, as international teams finalize their athlete rosters.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-africa-prepares-for-2026-lifesaving-world-championships

### 2026-08-12: Lifesaving championships and world championship team announcements

Lifesaving South Africa will host the 2024 Africa Championships, while Australia has named its 24-member team for the upcoming Lifesaving World Championships in Port Elizabeth.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lifesaving-championships-and-world-championship-team-announcements

### 2026-08-10: South Africa announces national teams for 2026 Lifesaving World Championships

Lifesaving South Africa has named its national teams for the 2026 Lifesaving World Championships, which will be hosted in Port Elizabeth.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-africa-announces-national-teams-for-2026-lifesaving-world-championships

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Cite as: 2026 Lifesaving World Championships preparations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/2026-lifesaving-world-championships-preparations