Canada was no match for powerhouse nations including the host Australians at the 2001 Goodwill Games where surf lifesaving debuted at a multi-sport international event.

The host Australians placed first overall winning 18 of 24 events held over two days at Kurrawa Beach, 60-kilometers south of Brisbane. The Australians accumulated 535 points.

Tied for second behind the Aussies were New Zealand and South Africa, with 428 points each. The United States was fourth with 389 points, Britain fifth with 321, France sixth with 299, Canada seventh with 224, and Spain eighth with 205 points.