Southern Sydney, Newcastle and Queensland’s Gold Coast will host Australia’s top surf sport Iron athletes over summer in the new-look 2024 Shaw and Partners Iron Series.
Wanda SLSC in Sydney’s Bate Bay will host the opening weekend (Dec 14-15, 2024), Newcastle SLSC in the Hunter region of New South Wales will host the second weekend (Jan 11-12, 2025) with North Burleigh SLSC on the Gold Coast set to host the two rounds (February 1-2, 2025), including the final Grand Eliminator, winner takes all event.
“The Shaw and Partners Iron Series promises to be one of the best to date with the exciting new formats, new locations and increased competitor numbers which provides the opportunity for the rising stars of our sport to mix it with our best and most experienced,” said SLSA National Sport Manager, Wayne Druery.
“We are excited to take the event to Wanda, Newcastle and North Burleigh, places we haven’t visited for some time if at all in the history of this event and I would like to thank these Clubs and local Councils for affording us the opportunity to bring some of Australia’s best surf sports athletes to their region in what promises to be non-stop action and excitement for spectators in those regions”.
Defending Series Champions Lana Rogers and Ali Day are excited by the new Series formats and are looking forward to competing at new locations.
“I grew-up in Cronulla so I am very familiar with that stretch of beach and am super excited to be opening the 2024/25 season at Wanda,” said Rogers. “There is a great surf sports community in that region and I am sure we will get a great crowd for what promises to be an exciting new era for the event.”
“Wanda, Newcastle and North Burleigh are great locations and beaches that are sure to throw up some exciting conditions,” added Day.
“It is great to have these locations, and the dates locked in to go with the new formats so we can continue to prepare and plan for what is going to be a huge summer of surf sports.”
The last event held in Newcastle was 10 years ago, back in 2015 and SLSA, along with Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes are excited to bring the event back to the region in what is sure to a fantastic January weekend of competition.
“City of Newcastle is proud to support the return of this iconic event to our beaches for the first time in a decade,” Cr Nelmes said.
“Newcastle is known for its spectacular coastline and its passionate surf lifesaving community, including our own City of Newcastle lifeguard, Dan Collins, who this year was crowned the Australian Open Ironman Champion.
“Newcastle has become a destination of choice thanks to our success hosting major events. We love an activated and vibrant city that promotes surf lifesaving, safe and healthy communities.”
The first weekend in February will be exciting times on the Gold Coast and particularly at North Burleigh where the 2024/25 Champions will be crowned.
“Get ready to witness elite sports at its best as the Iron Series returns to the Gold Coast,” said Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate.
“Life Saving is in our city’s DNA, and we are proud to continue to host the final weekend of this prestigious series, where competitors are pushed to their limits and epic battles are fought and won. We can’t wait to witness the country’s elite surf sports athletes in action once again this 1-2 February.”
The 2024/25 Shaw and Partners Iron Series prize pool increases from $325,000 to over $400,000 with the male and female Iron Series winners to both walk away with an Isuzu MU-X vehicle courtesy of Race One Surf Craft.
“With the field expanding from 40 to 56 competitors, a new elimination format, and an increased prize pool, the stakes are higher than ever. No athlete is safe, and they will be pushed to their absolute limits.
“In Wanda we will have 28 females and 28 males put their toe on the line to start, the top 22 from this weekend will progress to Newcastle, the top 16 will then progress to North Burleigh, with the Top 12 finishers on the penultimate day earning the right to line up in the Grand Eliminator, winner takes all race on the Sunday, the excitement and anticipation is already building,” added Druery.
2024/25 Shaw and Partners Iron Series
Trial Round – Nov 16-17, 2024 – Tugun, QLD
Round 1 – Dec 14-15, 2024 – Wanda, NSW
Round 2 – Jan 11-12, 2025 – Newcastle, NSW
Round 3 – Feb 1, 2025 – North Burleigh, QLD
Round 4 – Feb 2, 2025 – North Burleigh, QLD