The third Masters Legends award ceremony was held during the Masters Competition of the 2025 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships (The Aussies). The Masters Legends recognises Masters competitors (individuals or teams) over the age of 35 who have achieved exceptional results over a sustained period in Masters competition.
Masters competitors play an integral part in the sport arena, through their dedication to surf lifesaving, competitiveness, and ability to play a key role within the club structures.
2025 marks 32 years of the Masters Championship at the Aussies. At this year’s Masters Legends awards ceremony, three Masters were recognised for their achievements – Laura Thurtell (Bondi SBLSC, NSW), Rod Taylor (Mooloolaba SLSC, QLD), Louise Santos (Bondi SBLSC, NSW), and Ted Smithies (Newport SLSC, NSW).
Surf Life Saving Australia wishes to congratulate and recognise Laura, Rod, Louis, and Ted for their respective achievements, which are listed below.
Ted Smithies (Newport SLSC, NSW)
Between 2001 and 2024, Ted Smithies won 31 Gold, three silver and three bronze medals in Masters competition in the beach area – sprint, relay and flags. He won again in 2025, taking gold in the 70-74 yrs Male Beach Flags.
In 2016 Newport Masters legend Ted Smithies finishing 1st in the beach sprint at the World Championships held at the Netherlands.
Ted was made a Life Member of Newport SLSC in 2022.
Ted has been an active Patrolling member for 25yrs, holding 5 different positions on the management committee and 2 positions on different sub committees during this time.
Ted has been keen on actively mentoring new patrolling members through the club and encouraging them to take on more roles throughout the club.
Newport SLSC said on Thursday April 17, when SLSA announced the awards:
''Congratulations to Newport's Ted Smithies on his induction into the SLSA masters hall of fame. Recognition of his ongoing incredible results in beach sprints and flags.''
Laura Thurtell – Bondi SBLSC, NSW
Laura first competed as a Master in 2006 in the age 40-44 group. She has been a continuous podium finisher since that year and across a range of disciplines including Surf, Board, Tube, Iron Woman, Ski and Beach events. Laura also excels in pool rescue events. In the three years between 2019 and 2022 when the Championships were held, Laura won 19 Gold medals.
Rod Taylor – Mooloolaba SLSC, QLD (Award collected by club representative)
Rod first commenced competing in individual Masters beach events in 2003 in the 50-54 years age group. He has been a continuous podium finisher since 2003 across a wide range of disciplines, and was the most successful master in the over 70 years age group at the 2023 championships winning every event he contested.
Louise Santos – Bondi SBLSC, NSW (Award presented to Louise’s husband)
Between 2005 and 2023, Louise Santos won 32 Gold, 19 Silver and 19 Bronze medals in Masters competition which included Ironwoman, R&R, Board, and Pool Rescue events.
THE SLSA MASTERS LEGENDS
NAME CLUB Year Inducted
Stephen FRY Northcliffe, QLD 2019
Gavin HILL Grange SA, Northcliffe QLD 2019
Mark BENNETTS Southport, QLD 2019
Michael COOK Trigg Island, WA 2019
Neville DeMESTRE North Burleigh, QLD 2019
Paul LEMMON Terrigal, NSW 2019
Martin LYNCH Newport, NSW 2019
Donald MARSH Carlton Park, TAS 2019
Georgina LYNCH Noosa Heads, QLD 2019
Alison PEGG Noosa Heads, QLD 2019
Dori MILLER Bondi Surf Bathers LSC, NSW 2022
Michael GEDZ Queenscliff NSW 2022
David HUTCHISON Glenelg, SA 2023
Davina STRAUSS Coledale, NSW 2023
Dianne WALLACE-WARD Seacliff, SA 2023
Laura THURTELL Bondi, NSW 2025
Rod TAYLOR Mooloolaba, QLD 2025
Louise SANTOS Bondi, NSW 2025
Ted SMITHIES Newport, NSW 2025