The Summer of sport is set to explode with Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) today announcing new broadcast partner Channel Nine for the iconic Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman Series which is set to kick off on 19 December.

Returning to LIVE free-to-air for the first time since 2013, the new TV deal is a game changer for the iconic series as a new generation of Aussie stars will be beamed into homes across Australia.
One of Australia’s most enduring sports partnerships, Surf Life Saving Australia and Kellogg’s have been working together for more than 35 years to deliver one of Australia’s most beloved summer sports.

“Nutri-Grain has championed values of strength, courage and determination, encouraging Aussies for decades to live unstoppable lives and be the best they can be,” said Dan Bitti, Senior Marketing Manager at Kellogg Australia.

“The Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman Series embodies these values and we’re excited about the sport and our partners SLSA, taking the next step in reaching the next generation with this iconic sport.”
As part of the new deal with Channel Nine, all six rounds of the Nutri-Grain Series will be broadcast across three weekends of competition this summer.
Nine’s Director of Sport, Brent Williams, said “Nine and Wide World of Sports have a long history with the Ironman and Ironwoman series. We are proud to see this iconic Australian sport and the new generation of elite athletes involved return to our screens this summer.”

Surf Life Saving Australia CEO, Adam Weir, said that SLSA is excited to be bringing the iconic Nutri-Grain series back to free to air TV and to be able to raise the profile of our elite athletes as well as up and coming young athletes.

“The Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman Series is iconic, and our sport together with our purpose of saving lives connects with many sporting fans from young nippers through to traditional sporting followers,” said Weir.

“We are thrilled that for the first time in more than a decade we will have our elite sporting series on free-to-air TV and reaching broader audiences.

“Not only are the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironmen and Ironwomen some of the toughest athletes in the country, but they are also great surf lifesavers who watch over the beach throughout the season.

“In the 2020/21 season we are also thrilled to be able to unearth new and up and coming talent, with a  new initiative called Nutri-Grain Next-Gen which will bring through the next wave of young role models to our Aussie screens.”

The 2020/21 Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman Series involves six rounds of Iron racing across three weekends and three locations with the opening round taking place at Kingscliff, NSW.

The top ten Ironmen and Ironwomen from the 2019/20 series will automatically qualify for the 2020/21 Nutri-Grain Series with eight male and female spots to be decided through a qualification event and two wild cards spots up for grabs bringing the total field to 20 males and 20 females.

The qualification event will be held on 28-29 November 2020, at Kingscliff, NSW. The event will be held across two days with heats on Saturday 28 November and Finals on Sunday 29 November.

There is a total of $200,000 on offer for athletes, with both men and women offered an equal $100,000 prize money across the 2020/21 Nutri-Grain Series.

The Nutri-Grain Next-Gen IronMan and IronWoman Series will also feature this summer as a curtain raiser, boasting Australia’s up and coming junior IronMen and IronWomen stars of tomorrow.

The dates and locations for the 2020/21 Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman Series are as follows:

  • Qualification Round – 28-29 November 2020 – Kingscliff, NSW
  • Round 1-2 – Nutri-Grain Series – 19-20 December 2020 – Kingscliff, NSW
  • Round 3-4 – Nutri-Grain Series – 16-17 January 2021 – North Cronulla, NSW
  • Round 5-6 (FINAL) – Nutri-Grain Series – 13-14 February 2021 – Kurrawa, QLD

All rounds of the 2020/21 Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman Series will be broadcast LIVE on Channel 9 from 12pm-2pm (AEDT).

With the current border restrictions in place, Surf Life Saving Australia will closely monitor developments and has contingency venues in place, should the Queensland border remain closed to New South Wales residents.