Grace McManis is in her graduating year, Year 12, at Matthew Flinders Anglican College and part of the Flinders Elite Athlete Program. Grace has just ventured to the United States to compete in the USA National Life Saving Championships, winning multiple medals, including gold medals in the ski, board, swim and iron events.
In this FEAP Profile, we asked Grace to share her goals and dreams beyond Flinders, and the skills and strategies she's learned along the way, all which help to be a more successful, healthy and positive athlete and learner.
Flinders Elite Athlete Profile with Grace McManis
Sport: Surf Life Saving
Q: Grace, please list some of your key sporting achievements.
- Gold medals in the ski, board, swim and iron in the U/19 USA national lifesaving championships
- Silver medal in the open ironwoman in the USLA national championships
- Bronze medal in the open board race in the USLA national championships
- Australian gold medal 2024 in U/17 boardriding
- Silver medal 2024 in open board riding
- Bronze medal 2024 U/17 swim teams
- 6th in the U/19 ironwoman at the Surf Life Saving World Championships 2024
- 4th in the Coolangatta Gold Iron event in U/19 2024
- 16th in Open board and 9th in Open ski finals at the World Ocean Series Shannon Eckstein Classic 2025
- 2 x Open Ski Finalist in the World Ocean Series 2025
- Part of the current World Youth Championship Team
Q: What are your sporting goals for 2025 and beyond?
My goal this year is to finish Year 12 while training for fun. Then I want to see how far I can go with surf life saving, taking as many opportunities as possible, such as pathways to other sports (kayaking, swimming, running, surfing) or travelling to race in other countries. I want to always have fun while feeling fit and strong and achieving the best results I can. I would love to compete in more World Championship teams and win a World Championship medal, and one day represent my country nationally (whether that be for Australia or America).
Q: What exciting sporting events are you involved in this year, 2025?
Recently, I went to Huntington Beach, California, USA and competed from 6-9 August in the National Surf Life Saving Championships! This year I will also compete in the trials for the Shaw and Partners Iron Series in the 25/26 season, and in the Open division of the World Ocean Series.
Q: What are your plans for study / career beyond Year 12 graduation?
Beyond Year 12, at the moment, I would like to stay on the Sunshine Coast because I love it here; there is good surf and warm weather all year round. Maroochydore is an awesome surf lifesaving club with great opportunities and I love my friends, coaches and community there. I am going to apply to the University of the Sunshine Coast to possibly study either Psychology or Occupational Therapy and then look for work on the Coast. If I could relocate my studies, I would love to spend some time training and lifeguarding in Santa Barbara, California.
Q: What skills and strategies have you learned through FEAP that are proving most valuable in your sport and academics?
Through FEAP, I’ve developed strong time management skills, learned how to prioritise tasks effectively, and become more confident in communicating clearly and asking for help when needed. I've also connected with like-minded athletes who share similar goals and ambitions in their respective sports. This experience has taught me the value of surrounding myself with a supportive inner circle and building strong, meaningful relationships.
Q: Do you have a favourite FEAP workshop so far?
My favourite workshops are those where we hear from young athletes who have recently finished school, sharing their experiences and how they balanced study with competition. I also really enjoy the sessions led by dietitians and nutritionists, as I find them practical and relevant in fuelling performance and maintaining healthy habits.
Q: What else have you enjoyed about FEAP?
I love the lunches provided during workshops, and always being able to check in with FEAP Director, Ms Nourse. The FEAP kids are a great bunch and we all look out for each other.
Q: Who is your sporting role model and why?
Lizzie Welborn because she inspires me. It’s not just her success as a surf athlete, but because of the way she empowers female athletes in areas like body confidence, health, nutrition and mindset. She opens up conversations about the challenges female athletes face in terms of dealing with body changes as a result of growing stronger and getting faster, and for this she is such a good role model for young female surf athletes.
To read more FEAP Profiles with our student athletes, visit here.
