It was a tragic end to the Australian titles. We lost one of ours in a freak surf accident.

Saxon Bird died doing something he loved and I’m sure the exhilaration of riding big surf was part of what attracted him to the sport. It certainly doesn’t take the pain away, but it may make his tragic passing easier for his loved ones to cope with.

I send my condolences to his family, friends and surf lifesaving community as this is very close to home for many of us.