The country’s top ironmen and ironwomen will line up on Surfers Paradise Beach for the first round of the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Series on December 18.
Known as the home of surf lifesaving, the famous beach front will become a hive of activity as our brightest surf stars compete for the all-important open round win and early points.
The man to beat is defending champion Shannon Eckstein, but hot on his heels will be brother and Coolangatta Gold winner Caine Eckstein and past winners Ky Hurst and Zane Holmes.
The Eckstein brothers have spent most of their lives training and competing at Surfers Paradise – the club where they kicked of their careers as nippers in the under 7s.
“There’s a lot of history here at Surfers and Caine and I have spent years training in the surf here,” said Shannon.
“It’s like we have come full circle and there will be plenty of excitement come race day. I have been training up to five hours a day so that I can give myself every possible chance of winning the open round on the day.”
In the women, it’s 23-year-old Courtney Hancock leading the charge as she sets out to defend her title.
There will be six races over the summer for the 2011/12 Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IronMan Series and IronWoman Series – one more than last year, promising a spectacle for viewers tuned into network partner Channel 10.
Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw said world class events like the Kellogg’s Series are a boost for tourism numbers as it showcases one of the world’s best beaches.
“One of the first anticipated events for the revitalised Surfers Paradise Foreshore is the 2011/12 Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IronMan Series and IronWoman Series which will see a world class event that mirrors the healthy family friendly lifestyle that Surfers Paradise offers to all holiday makers,” he said.
“Events of this nature place Surfers Paradise on top of the national and international tourism map and we look forward to showcasing what this beautiful part of the Gold Coast offers.
“We see Surfers Paradise as the home of surf lifesaving and this series represents the sun, surf and healthy lifestyle in this wonderful part of the world.”
Mr Winlaw said the new revitalised Surfers Paradise Foreshore will frame a diverse range of events for the whole family.
“The revitalised Surfers Paradise Foreshore has completely transformed our world famous beachfront and is already home to a vast array of lifestyle activities. From morning joggers to sunset walkers, the new esplanade allows visitors and locals to enjoy paradise at its best,” he said.
“Festivals and events are increasingly important to the tourism industry, to bring people back to regional and tourism centres. Surfers Paradise has the best beaches on the Gold Coast complimented by non-stop entertainment, an array of fine dining, world-class street entertainment and fun for the whole family.”
“Now we have a world-class venue set to attract locals and visitors to the heart of our great city to enjoy fun, free family entertainment in a safe and secure environment with something for everyone,” he said.
Other venues for the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Series include Portsea in Victoria (January 8), a secret NSW location (January 22), Perth (January 29) and the penultimate event in Coolum (February 12). Along with the new venues there will be several new formats mixed in with traditional favourites like the eliminator and triple sprint in the revamped competition.
A full schedule of upcoming events in Surfers Paradise is available at www.surfersparadise.com.
