The Brothers Behind the Boards: Meet Zach, Mitch & Jake

When it comes to surf lifesaving, the Morris brothers are as close as it gets - in and out of the water. Between early mornings, long workdays, and weekends spent chasing waves, their bond is built on competition, banter, and a whole lot of hard work. We caught up with Zach, Mitch, and Jake to talk about how it all started, what it’s like competing together, and why a little rivalry might just be their secret weapon.

How did you all get into surf lifesaving?

Zach was the first to dive in - literally. After our family moved to the beach, he joined nippers because he loved being in the ocean. Once he started school and realised all his mates were doing it too, it became part of the Sunday morning routine. He wasn’t exactly a gun swimmer back then (the family pool didn’t count for much), but he loved the water from day one.

Meanwhile, Mitch and Jake were the tagalongs - too young to join but always on the sidelines watching. By the time they were old enough for U6s, they’d had enough of spectating and just wanted to get on their bodyboards. They didn’t properly get into nippers until U8s, when they could finally race. That’s when the real fun (and competition) began.

What’s it like competing alongside your brothers? More support or more sibling rivalry?

These days, it’s definitely more support - with a healthy dose of banter. We don’t stay mad for long.

Back in the day, though, Mitch and Jake were fierce rivals. They barely noticed anyone else in their races - it was always about beating each other. Jake had the edge on land, Mitch was quicker in the water, and we’d all be holding our breath hoping they didn’t collide mid-race.

Now, they’ve mellowed (a bit). They’ve learned to appreciate each other’s strengths… and Zach likes to remind everyone he’s the “most successful brother” - just to keep the peace.

Do you train together much?

Jake’s usually off doing ski paddling and kayaking these days, so he’s on his own schedule. Zach and Mitch train together pretty often with the NC boys.

Training’s got to be fun for us - we both work full-time, so our days are long. Up early for swim training, straight to work, then back for afternoon sessions at 4pm. When you’re running on fumes, the laughs and banter make all the difference.

Most memorable race together?

Easy - the 2022 Shaw and Partners Coolangatta Gold Open Team event. It was the first time we raced alongside our older brother, Bailey, raising money for the Miracle Babies Foundation.

Bailey was a miracle baby himself - born at just 24 weeks - and he’s always been our biggest supporter. Watching him finish his 8km soft sand run, grinning ear to ear with the crowd cheering him on… that was a moment we’ll never forget.

Does the competitiveness spill over into everyday life?

Oh, absolutely. Everything turns into a competition - always has. A friendly game of touch footy would turn into full contact. A race to the car meant someone was diving for the front seat.

Even now, it’s who gets the biggest bed or their own room when we travel for comps. It’s all harmless fun (mostly) - but it’s definitely shaped our competitive edge and made us pretty tight as brothers.

Who’s the biggest instigator when it comes to turning anything into a competition?

That’s 100% Jake. He can turn making dinner or playing cards into a full-blown showdown - and he’ll argue his way to victory, even if no one else is playing.

Jake reckons Zach and Mitch are worse when it comes to sport though. Once the whistle blows, it’s game on.

If you each had a nickname based on your racing style, what would it be?

• Zach:  “Slacko” (super relaxed until the gun goes off)

• Mitch: “Angry” (if something goes wrong, you’ll know about it)

• Jake:  “Snake” (because he somehow slithers into every situation)

What would surprise people about life outside of racing?

We all work full-time - well, Zach and Mitch do anyway. Both have pretty physical jobs. Zach’s an electrician, Mitch is a plumber - and he’ll happily tell you his job’s way harder.

When they’re not training, Mitch is probably tinkering with his 4WD or camping with mates, while Zach’s more of a “kick back and play 2K” kind of guy.

Jake’s the wildcard. We call him “Mr Europe” - he’s done a bit of everything. Started out as a carpenter, made a few Aussie Kayak Teams, and now he’s running his own business - Gold Coast First Aid & CPR Training. When he’s not doing that, he’s lifeguarding or working at Race One, squeezing training and gym sessions in around it all.

What stands out about the Morris brothers isn’t just their medals or results - it’s their balance of grit and good humour. They train hard, push each other harder, and still manage to make it fun. It’s that mix of discipline, drive, and a bit of cheek that perfectly sums up the ENGINE spirit: work for it, laugh through it, and keep showing up for the people who push you to be better.