Past winners celebrate 40th anniversary of Coolangatta Gold

Past winners have today come together on the Gold Coast to celebrate 40 years of the Coolangatta Gold - renowned for being the most challenging endurance race in surf sports.

What began as the central theme for a motion picture 40 years ago, now commands a place on Australia’s annual sports calendar with Experience Gold Coast Executive Director, Events, Avril Harris noting “the iconic Coolangatta Gold has captured the hearts and minds of Gold Coasters since its inception 40 years ago as the first professional Iron Man race.

“The spectacular 41.8 km course truly showcases our amazing city as it covers the Gold Coast coastline from Coolangatta to Broadbeach and builds on our reputation as a major sporting destination."

10 of the 17 past winners of the race celebrated the milestone, with just under a month to go until the 2024 event.

The first ever winner Guy Leech (1984 and 1985 champion) was among those at Coolangatta today and said today gave him the opportunity to reflect on his win from 40 years ago.

Leech shared “when I won in 84, I was just in the right place at the right time and no-one knew how to race an event like that…nothing like that had occurred before.

“It was also raced in January in 35 degree heat, so everything was against it going right for us. I walked away from the beach that day thinking I can’t believe I won and if it’s on again next year I need to come back and win it, and if I don’t everyone will think it’s a fluke.

“I loved it, and it was a race that I wanted to win. But I felt like I needed to keep doing it to prove myself, and today is an important reminder of the success that I managed to achieve 40 years ago.”

Reigning champion, and nine-time Coolangatta Gold winner Ali Day said it was a special day to be in a room full of champions, ahead of what he’s hoping could be his 10th Coolangatta Gold win.

Day commented "If you told me 20 years ago I'd be in a room with all of these people, as I'm training to try and win my 10th Coolangatta Gold title, I would have fallen off my chair.

"I grew up idolising these guys and girls, and to now be in the company of them as we celebrate 40 years of the race I love so much is so surreal.”

 The first ever winner of the women’s race, and three-time champion Hayley Bateup said it was great to reflect upon the growth of the event over the last 40 years adding "I don't really think about being the inaugural female winner much until I come to something like this, and it's quite nice to bring it all back and think about those memories again.

"I was the first (female) to ever do it, and that's something that can never be taken from me and that I'm extremely proud of.”

Acting Mayor Donna Gates noted “when it comes to iconic events steeped in history, it’s hard to go past the Coolangatta Gold.

“40 years of history, of heartache, triumph and celebration from the hundreds of men and women who have taken on the Gold over that time.

“Standing here with some of the past winners, whose names are etched in surf lifesaving folklore, makes me so proud to be a Gold Coaster. Congratulations and let’s bring on the Gold next month for its 40th anniversary.’’

The 2024 Shaw and Partners Coolangatta Gold will be held on 12th-13th October.

The 2024 Shaw and Partners Coolangatta Gold is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.