Making a splash: Tippett makes sporting comeback

Many thought when Kurt Tippett played his final game for the Sydney Swans that it would be the last time the former Gold Coaster would step out onto the national sporting stage.

Think again.

Yesterday at Broadbeach, the 31-year-old made his Aussies surf lifesaving debut back on his home stretch of beach.

"It's very exciting to be home," he said.

"I've been looking forward to making the trip and bringing the young family up and spending some time here at the Aussie titles.

"We grew up at the beach so we all have really fond memories of spending our weekends down here."

Despite choosing the AFL sporting pathway, Tippett split his childhood between rugby, basketball, Aussie rules and surf lifesaving.

"I competed for North Burleigh as a junior and enjoyed that and obviously spent a fair bit of time out of the water doing other sports," he said.

"I was never much good.

"I was trying to play a few sports but I really enjoyed surf lifesaving but wasn't that good at it."

After retiring from AFL last year, Tippett decided that it was time one of his passions another crack.

Last month he competed at his first State Titles for Bondi in New South Wales in style, taking out the 30-34 years surf race.

"To get back into the water and compete for Bondi at this amazing event has been unreal," said Tippett who has also spent some time patrolling for his local club.

"I love being down on the beach and still have a lot of friends here competing.

"It's good to be back doing this again."

When asked if his latest sporting pursuit was an attempt to match his sister Gretel, who excelled at both basketball and netball, Tippett couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm not trying to compete with her," he joked.

"She's done pretty well to be honest and she's definitely the star of the family so we'll leave that to her."

Tippett finished fifth in the 30-99 male board rescue final with partner Christopher Wight.