ZOE WOODS DOMINATES THE LIFESAVING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024, CLAIMING TWO GOLDS AND A BRONZE.
Teen sensation Zoe Woods Dominates the Lifesaving World Championships 2024, Claiming Two Golds and a Bronze.
In October this year, Broadbeach on the Gold Coast played host to the prestigious Lifesaving World Championships, where nearly 5,000 athletes from around the globe competed for top honours. Among them, 16-year-old Zoe Woods emerged as a standout star, capturing attention with an extraordinary performance across multiple events.
Woods claimed first place in both the youth board and swim events, solidifying her reputation as one of the sport’s rising stars. Her exceptional talent didn’t stop there—she also secured a third-place finish in the highly competitive youth ironwoman division, adding to her impressive medal haul.
As the younger sister of professional ironwoman Emma Woods, these impressive results are just the beginning for Zoe. Determined to follow in her sister's footsteps, she is focused on her long-term goal: "Watching my sister make her first professional series inspired me to work even harder so that one day I’ll be racing alongside her," she said.
A proud member of Alexandra Headland SLSC, Zoe credits much of her success—and her sister's—to the ideal training environment, deep talent pool, and strong community spirit of the Sunshine Coast. "We’re fortunate to have so many accomplished ironmen and women who serve as mentors to the next generation," Zoe explained. "Their guidance inspires us to set ambitious goals, build winning mindsets, and push ourselves further."
In a ground-breaking move for the Shaw and Partners Summer of Surf Iron Series, winners of the Under-17 Ironman and Ironwoman events will now be awarded a wildcard spot directly into the open division finals. Already committed to delivering her best performances, Zoe has found fresh motivation with the introduction of this new initiative. "The Race One Golden Ticket has given me extra drive to perform at my best, with the goal of racing against the best in the open finals—and hopefully beating my older sister," Zoe said.
With the Summer of Surf series just around the corner, Zoe remains focused and committed to a demanding weekly training regimen to ensure she’s in peak condition for the challenges ahead. With her combination of talent, drive, and inspiration from her sister, Zoe Woods is undoubtedly one to watch as she continues her journey toward the top of the sport.
Article written by Sophie McCulloch
Created December 18, 2024
Photos provided by @_zoe.woods