Two years ago, Cyra Bender watched from the sidelines at Kurrawa Beach as Australia claimed both the Open and Youth titles at the 2024 World Surf Lifesaving Championships.
Named as a reserve for the Open team, the Bond University alumna could only look on as the Aussies powered to victory.
But this year the BMD Northcliffe surf lifesaver gets her chance as part of the Australian team.
Bender will next weekend board a plane for South Africa ahead of this year’s World Championships in Port Elizabeth from December 2.
The Bachelor of Biomedical Science student and ADCO Sports Excellence Scholar has represented Australia on several occasions, but this will be her first opportunity to compete at a senior level at a World Championships.
Bender is one of just a handful of athletes who are considered in the top echelon within both the pool rescue and ocean disciplines of surf lifesaving and she will compete in the second leg of the Shaw and Partners Iron Series at Thirroul before heading to South Africa.
Australian National Head Coach Zayne Hamill says Bender’s adaptability will play a pivotal role in the team’s defence of the world title.
“Cyra has shown amazing versatility over recent years to cement her spot in the open team,” Hamill said.
“She is strong across a number of pool events – her speed and power in the pool is phenomenal.
“But for that to cross over into the ocean too makes her a unique athlete where she’s competing at the highest level in both environments.
“That really adds to the team.”
Bender will be joined in Port Elizabeth by fellow Bull Shark Noah Maggs, who will represent the Australian Youth team.
Born in Johannesburg, the Bachelor of Business student moved to Australia shortly before his fifth birthday and has not returned to South Africa since.
Now, more than a decade later, Maggs will return wearing the green and gold.
The Mermaid Beach surf lifesaver is flying high on confidence after securing a place in the Open ironman final at last weekend’s Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series Bonny Hills 7000 as he prepares to bolster Australia’s points in the ocean and pool rescue disciplines.
For Maggs, the world titles will be an opportunity to represent his adopted country in the place where his life began.
For Bender, it will be a full-circle moment from two years ago.
Far from the sidelines, both athletes will be front and centre as Australia fights to retain its position as the best surf lifesaving nation in the world.