The Price is right for US sprinter

Champion American beach sprinter Maddy Price is out to put a disrupted year behind her and make her mark at next week’s Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships.

Price was untouchable in taking home double gold in the sprint and beach flags at the 2024 US National titles, but a year-long battle with illness denied her the opportunity to defend her title.

The 20-year-old has since been reinvigorated by a move from her hometown of Santa Cruz in California to the global capital of Surf Lifesaving in the Gold Coast. 

 “Back in the United States, 99% of people don’t know what Surf Lifesaving is - we don’t even have surf clubs,” Price said. 

“The level of competition in Australia is so much higher…the races are more challenging and aggressive – I love it.” 

The Bond University Bachelor of Climate Change and Sustainable Action student has been honing her craft with Kurrawa Surf Club head coach Ryan Hoffman, who guided Bond alumna Bree Masters to an Olympic athletics berth in 2024. 

Price has chosen to reflect positively on recent challenges, taking the silver linings in her stride.

“I’ve learnt that there’s ups and down and you can learn as much from your downs - progress isn’t linear,” Price said.

“When you’ve been winning and hit a plateau or something goes wrong, the easy way out is to say ‘I’m done,’ but I’m pushing past that to get back to where I was…I’m learning that resilience.”

Off the sand, Price is a talented surfer, having grown up near world-famous break Steamer Lane, but she’s quickly found some new favourite spots down under.

“The breaks are so much less crowded over here… I love going to Palm Beach as there is almost no one out and also enjoy heading further south to Cabarita.” 

Price will spend two and a half years on the Gold Coast completing her degree, with a short trip home mid-year to lifeguard and compete through the American Summer. 

Far from a relaxing holiday, Price plans to squeeze as much adventure out of her time in Australia as possible. 

“I love the ocean and it’s a huge part of my life, but I love the mountains and forests just as much – the diversity of the landscapes and wildlife is the best part of Australia.” 

“I really want to explore Western Australia and eventually do a big lap around the country… it’s a huge privilege to be here, I really feel America has so much to learn from Australia.”