Photo Courtesy: Harvpix
GOLD COAST, Australia, October 17. Surf Life Saving Australia will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the nation’s toughest surf sports endurance race – the Coolangatta Gold on November 1 and 2.
The iconic event, first staged in 1984, will again feature the elite of Australia’s Ironmen and Ironwomen taking on the 41.5km course from Coolangatta to Miami, via Broadbeach and return. This year will also see the introduction of the inaugural Coolangatta Gold Youth Challenge.
The 2014 Coolangatta Gold was launched today by Surf Life Saving Australia President Graham Ford and The Hon. Jann Stuckey MP, Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and Commonwealth Games.
“There’s no doubt the Coolangatta Gold is one of the iconic sporting events in this country and Surf Life Saving Australia is incredibly proud to stage it and celebrate its 30TH anniversary this year,” Mr Ford said.
“It is a true test of athlete endurance, skill and capability that has grown from being one race to a weekend festival of endurance surf sports. The event boasts high community participation and makes a significant contribution to the local economy.”
Five-time winner Caine Eckstein and defending women’s champion Elizabeth Pluimers headline the list of entrants in the elite categories.
Eckstein and Pluimers were joined at today’s launch by Kurrawa’s Nick Marshall who will contest a record-breaking 10th consecutive Coolangatta Gold and race debutant, 2012 Australian Ironwoman champion Rebecca Creedy.
However, the 30th anniversary event will again cater to endurance athletes of all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience. This year, nominations have been received from around Australia, the USA and Hong Kong for both the long and short-course events.
“The Coolangatta Gold is an iconic Australian event that has grown to become a weekend festival of endurance surf sports,” Ms Stuckey said.
“In 2013, the event generated more than 5000 visitor nights for Queensland, providing a boost for the tourism industry and opportunity to showcase Australia’s Famous for fun holiday destination.
“The Government’s 20-year plan for tourism, Destination Success outlines the importance of supporting events such as this which drive visitation to Queensland’s destinations.”
In a nostalgic nod to the past, the very first Coolangatta Gold champion, 1984 winner Guy Leech will be competing in a “Legends Team” alongside fellow past champions Ali Day (2012 & 2013); Darren Mercer (1991) and Rhys Drury (2007).
“It is a race that I’m proud to have won twice and a race that I was honoured to have helped pioneer from the days when we ventured into the unknown,” said Leech.
“No one really knew how to train for the first one and it was a case of churning through the miles and getting ready the best way we knew how.”
The 2014 Coolangatta Gold is a key lead-in as Surf Life Saving Australia prepares to celebrate 100 years of Surf Sports in the upcoming 2014-15 season.
The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World. To reach our audience, contact us at newsmaster@swimmingworld.com.
