00:00From the podium in Paris, to the world stage in his backyard.
00:07Riley Fitzsimmons is swapping the kayak for a surf ski, in the hopes to back up his Olympic
00:12medal success at the World Surf Life Saving Championships.
00:16It's probably been 20 years almost I've been in Surf Life Saving.
00:19It's like riding your favourite bike, so yeah, once I get back in the surf ski I'll feel
00:24right at home.
00:27It's just one of Australia's Olympians who will compete over the next 17 days.
00:32It is quite special to have it in our own backyard here on the Gold Coast, you know
00:36we train in these conditions all the time, so it's going to be very, very cool to showcase
00:41this to the rest of the world.
00:42With events in the sand, surf and pool, athletes are keen to prove themselves.
00:48Including fledgling countries like Argentina, where just getting here is half the battle.
00:53We pay every single penny of the trip, we pay the plane, we pay the stay, we pay everything.
01:01That's why, because for us it's very difficult, but this difficulty is like empowering.
01:09This is the biggest competition for Surf Life Saving worldwide, attracting around 5,000
01:14competitors from more than 40 countries.
01:16It's the first time it's been held on the Gold Coast in 36 years, estimated to boost
01:21the local economy by $19 million.
01:25But it's not all about accolades.
01:27Invictus Australia, an organisation who supports veterans through sporting rehabilitation,
01:33has doubled the size of their team since their debut last championships.
01:37Our connection is pretty much giving people a voice and an opportunity just to share their
01:43experiences and be involved, have a space that they can go to when they feel like there's
01:51nowhere else to go.
01:52Jessica Lamb, ABC News, Gold Coast.
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