Balloons in the red and blue colours of Saxon Bird's Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club wafted over the Gold Coast on Sunday morning as thousands mourned his drowning.
The Australian surf lifesaving championships gold medallist and reigning NSW under-19 Ironman champion died in hospital after being struck in the head by a surf ski during an iron man event at Kurrawa Beach on Friday.
Thousands turned out to remember Bird on Sunday morning as the annual national championships' ecumenical service was turned into a tribute to the young star of the sport.
The sands of Kurrawa Beach were covered by a huge gathering including members of his club on Sydney's northern beaches, fellow competitors, carnival and Surf Life Saving Australia officials, and many others moved by the tragedy, a statement from organisers said.
Queenscliff SLSC clubmates Tom and Ben Atkinson carried a wreath through a guard of honour and let it loose in the Kurrawa waves.
A statement from Bird's parents, Phil and Dana, and his sister, Arielle, was read as part of the service.
"Saxon's happy, energetic and often cheeky attitude towards life made him loved and cherished by all that knew him," the statement said.
"His success, happy-go-lucky attitude and behaviour made him a role model to all around him and looked up to by all his peers and younger members of the surf life saving community.
"Saxon lived life to the fullest; he was a top bloke and loved all of his family and friends dearly."
Earlier, the carnival's traditional march past, led by the Queenscliff team, was joined by hundreds of other competitors in a moving show of strength.
Some marched with tears rolling down their cheeks.
An IRB rescue craft was carried into the arena in recognition of the water safety crews who searched for Saxon for almost an hour on Friday before his body was recovered.
Queenscliff club president David Piper said his grieving members had been overwhelmed by the support they had received during the past two days.
Mr Piper said he was particularly moved by a gesture by arch-rival club Manly, whose competitors during the past two days have worn the Queenscliff colours on their sky blue caps.
Competition at the championships was suspended after Friday's tragedy and all water events for the remainder of the carnival were cancelled on Saturday.
Beach events continued on Sunday, the final day of the championships.
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