By TANIA PHILLIPS
IT started as a small junior event in 1997 but this weekend the Cudgen Classic Ironman is all grown up with more than 350 competitors expected to take to Kingscliff Beach on Saturday including, for the first time, open competitors.
From humble beginnings the event has now become one of the biggest and longest running independent carnivals on the NSW coast and a springboard for many future Australian Champions.
“Over the past couple of seasons there has been an increase in the number of under-15 and under-17 competitors,” Cudgen Headland Surf Club president Adam Mills said.
“This season we thought that we would open it up to all categories to allow those competitors who have supported the event throughout the juniors age groups to continue to come along and enjoy what has become a great family orientated short course iron person event to kick start their season.
“In the past we have had clubs travel from as far south as Port Maquarie all the way up to Noosa and we hope to welcome back all of our past competitors and any new competitors who would like the opportunity to experience what Kingscliff has to offer and enjoy a great event.”
The event, which started in 1997 with just under 13 to under 16s, now includes under 10s to open (nine age groups) and has become the biggest and best-known event on the Cudgen Club calendar.
“In 1997 in which we had 80 competitors and just four age groups,” Cudgen Director of Administration and Cudgen Classic Registrar Lyndel Small said.
“Second year 1998 saw 200 competitors and it has continued to grow, now drawing an average of 350 entrants.
“In 2000 the event grew to include under-10s in a three-person ‘foamie challenge’ and the sub-junior group of under 11 and 12s.
“In 2004 we introduced under-17 years and of course this year we are introducing under-19s and open competition.
“It was always our idea to keep growing it to a full carnival – just took longer than anticipated as committees changed over the years . It was a matter of the senior surf sports committee getting involved and making it happen, getting sponsors for the extra races and making it attractive to the older age groups.”
Lyndel said the widening of the criteria for the event mean that many of the original competitors from back in 1997 could now take part again including her own son Rohan.
“Rohan was an inaugural competitor and winner of the under-13s race.
“I myself have attended all but one of the 17 soon to be 18-years running the registration and sign-ons for the event and was the event organiser for the first five years before handing over the reigns.” she said.
“Rohan is still competing for Cudgen and is now 28. He will be lining up again this Saturday.”
She said the race had become an important event for the club and the local community.
First race, the under-10s, hits the water at 9am on Saturday morning.
