Ironman dies after surf rescue

PARAMEDICS have failed to resuscitate an under-19 ironman competitor who went missing in rough surf on the Gold Coast.

Two medics rushed down Kurrawa Beach at 12.45pm (AEST) when the man was dragged out of the surf. He later died at the scene.

The teenager's surf ski washed onto the beach around 11.30am (AEST) on Friday during the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.

Fellow competitors rushed into the surf to find him when they realised he was missing.

The competition has been stopped and hundreds of people had gathered on the beach observing the search.

A strong rip is running along water's edge about 10 metres out from the sand.

Organisers deemed conditions at Kurrawa safe enough to go ahead with the event on Friday, despite two people being injured in rough conditions at the surf carnival this week.

Cyclone Ului is causing rough conditions along the Queensland coast.