From almost drowning as a child to the pinnacle of surf lifesaving
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- Tiarnee Massie, a third-generation surf lifesaver, is the reigning champion of the Australian Iron Series and will compete as the top seed in the upcoming season.
- Massie's life was saved by her mother's resuscitation efforts when she nearly drowned in a pool at nine months old.
- The near-death experience has not deterred Massie, who is now a leading figure in surf lifesaving, though her mother still finds watching her races difficult.
Under the Queensland sun, Tiarnee Massie stands as a formidable presence in the world of surf lifesaving. The 24-year-old is not only a third-generation lifesaver at the Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club but also the reigning and defending champion of the Australian Iron Series. She is set to wear the number 1 seed bib when the series kicks off in October with the Coolangatta Gold event.
Massie's journey to the pinnacle of the sport could have taken a tragic turn before it even began. At just nine months old, she nearly drowned in a swimming pool after a gate was left open. "My mum was actually on the phone and she had this gut instinct that something was wrong, so she hung up and she came out and she found me in the water," Massie recounts.
My mum was actually on the phone and she had this gut instinct that something was wrong, so she hung up and she came out and she found me in the water.
Her mother's quick thinking and resuscitation efforts saved her life that day. This near-fatal incident did not seem to leave any lasting trauma on Massie, who was back in the water the very next day. "It didn't affect me at all," she says with a smile, though she notes the profound impact it had on her mother.
It didn't affect me at all.
"Still now, when she's watching me in the ocean, she just can't watch. She's actually fainted a few times," Massie shares. "She's got demons there, but she knows that I'm capable and she knows that I love it." The support of her family is a cornerstone of her success, with them frequently attending her competitions.
Massie's story highlights the potent force of the ocean and the critical role of surf lifesavers. The 2025 National Drowning Report indicates a concerning rise in drowning deaths, with 357 fatalities in the past 12 months, a 27% increase on the 10-year average. Eight of the 15 child fatalities under four occurred in swimming pools, underscoring the importance of water safety.
Still now, when she's watching me in the ocean, she just can't watch. She's actually fainted a few times. She's got demons there, but she knows that I'm capable and she knows that I love it.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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