Cyra Bender
20
YEARS OLD
QLD
BMD NORTHCLIFFE
#23
2026/2027 SERIES
swim
STRENGTH
Stats
Bio
Cyra Bender grew up playing a wide variety of sports and was at one time heavily invested in rowing. However at the end of Year 12, she made the tough decision to focus on surf lifesaving, the sport she loves. Having already donned the green and gold cap of the Australian Life Saving Team six times (across Youth and Opens). Away from sport, she has just completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, with hopes of pursuing a career in medicine with a special interest in sports medicine and female athlete health.
Cyra, which race format is your favourite?
The traditional Iron and Super Sprint formats definitely suit my style of racing best.
What is the best part about being a surf sports athlete?
I love the variety — we train across a bunch of different disciplines, so no two sessions are the same. And getting to spend most of my time at the beach is definitely a bonus.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
“If something won’t matter in 5 years, don’t waste more than 5 minutes worrying about it now,” – my Year 5 Maths teacher.
Do you have a secret talent?
I can play two instruments.