The 19-year-old was dragged from rough surf on at Kurrawa Beach about 12.45pm but later died in hospital, officials confirmed this afternoon.

It is understood paramedics were unable to revive the young competitor on the sand.

The Manly Daily identified him as Saxon Bird, from Denistone, in Sydney's north-west.

The competition has been suspended, and Gold Coast Police Superintendent Jim Keogh said authorities would probe the conditions under which it was staged.

Surf Life Saving Australia chief executive Brett Williamson said surf lifesaving authorities would also investigate.

"Obviously we are co-operating with all the authorities, including the police, and a full investigation is under way," Mr Williamson said.

Sky News reporter and surf life saving competitor Sam Derrick told the television news service many people were angry the event had not been called off sooner, amid growing safety concerns.

''There is a lot of frustration, and a lot of anger, a lot of anger, here on the beach as well," she said.

''I can't lie - that's the feeling down here. It's such a tragedy."

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

''Our [coach] said to us, 'I will put you in big surf, I know you love big surf, but I will not put you in dangerous surf'," Ms Derrick said.

Mr Bird was a member of the NSW surf life saving high performance team and has taken a number of national titles over the past four years.

The teenager's surf ski washed onto the beach around 11.30am today during the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.

Earlier this week five-time ironman champion Shannon Eckstein told media the two-metre waves, treacherous rips and strong winds, generated by Cyclone Ului, could prove "lethal".

However, organisers deemed conditions at Kurrawa safe enough to proceed with the event, despite two people being injured in rough conditions.

Robert Gatenby, 15, a member of Kurrawa's under-18 boat crew, drowned at the 1996 nationals at the same beach, as Cyclone Beti ravaged the Queensland coast.