TJ Chong Sue

Proud mum Jenn with WA Pool Life Saving State Team athlete TJ Chong Sue

Royal Life Saving WA sat down with 15-year-old TJ Chong Sue ahead of the 2019 Australian Pool Life Saving Championships (APLSC) to chat about representing WA in the sport. TJ earned himself a spot on the WA State Team after participating in state trials, joining a team of 21 athletes heading to Sydney for the national event — our largest WA team in recent years. 

TJ is a member of the UWA West Coast Swim Club and the Fremantle Surf Life Saving Club. He has been involved in life saving since he was just eight years old. “My dad, and my brother and I would drive along the beach on Sundays, and we’d see them, all the nippers just on the beach, so I thought it would be fun to join in.”

When asked what he enjoys most about lifesaving, TJ’s face lights up. “Everything,” he laughs, “I don’t think there’s a downside! Helping people, having fun…being on the beach, just being outside.”

As well as being passionate about lifesaving in general, TJ is also a highly awarded athlete in the sport of pool lifesaving. His stellar performance at the 2018 APLSC saw him earn an impressive medal tally during the meet. 

TJ earned a spot on the dais in several individual and team events, including four individual gold medals for the Men’s Under 16 Super Lifesaver Event, Men’s Under 16 200m Obstacle Swim, Men’s Under 16 50m Manikin Carry and the Men’s Under 16 100m Manikin Tow, in which he also claimed the Australian Record. 

He was also awarded Male Lifesaver of the meet – an outstanding achievement – and was named a member of the Junior Aussie Barras squad. TJ helped his team achieve several medals and two more Australian records as part of team relay events.

Despite last year’s success, the young star remains humble about his achievements saying he feels “a little bit nervous” about the 2019 APLSC, and that there could be some strong competitors this year that he doesn’t know about.

We’re excited to watch TJ in action as he prepares to defend his records, and we wish him all the best for the meet!

You can find out more about the sport of Pool Life Saving at the link below.