Standout surnames of Mercer, Kenny, Day and more shine at Aussies Surf Lifesaving Championships.

The sons and daughters of multiple iron greats raced, twins impressed along with father and brothers and sisters to turn the 2024 Australian surf life saving championships into a real family affair.

It’s a sport rich with tradition and at the Australian 2024 championships there were a number of key family ties and famous connections.

From fourth generation guns racing in front of their famous families to twin brothers, siblings with Olympic dreams and the famous sons of legends, the Australian surf life saving championships on the Sunshine Coats had it all.

Lachlan, the young son of the late ironman champion Dean Mercer raced in the under 17s, helping his Kurrawa Surf Club team secure silver in the under-17 board relay final.

Lachie Mercer, Ben Cervenak and Alex Sheppard of Kurrawa Surf Club.

Surf Lifesaving star Jordan Mercer. Picture: MonkeyMedia

The daughter of his brother Darren, Jordan Mercer, raced off with a bronze in the open women’s ski final.

The son of ironman Grant Riddington, became a fourth generation winner for his family.

Willem Riddington won the U17 male single ski with his father, grandfather Max and great grandfather George all Aussie champions in various events.

Willem Riddington, Samuel Castle and Keaten Ronge-Smith after their gold medal victory in the under-17 ski relay final. Picture: Harvie Allison/SLSA

The Woods sisters from Alexandra Headland turned plenty of heads with Zoe finishing third in the U17 female ironwoman and first in the taplin before combining with her older sister Emma to finish fifth in the open female board rescue.

So did Bailey and Olivia Clues, both talented surf athletes and also kayakers.

Olivia was able to lift her teams to gold in the U17 and U19 female surf teams before securing an individual gold of her own in the U17 single ski final.

Bailey narrowly missed out on a medal when finishing fourth in the u19 single ski.

Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park star Jasmine Rayward. Picture: SLSA.

Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park duo Bianca and Jasmine Rayward were on fire with Jasmine winning the U19 female ironwoman and finishing second in the single ski final.

Maroochydore Swimmer Sam Short owns the 800m freestyle Commonwealth record and his younger brother Josiah and cousin Raph also helped lift the family name to new heights after a handful of impressive results across the carnival.

Grant Kenny turned plenty of heads with his physique in the Masters while his son Jett made it into the open men’s ski final - one of the top events of the championships.

Grant’s brother Martin also impressed, just missing the ski final.

Ironman legend Ali Day saw his brother win his first Australian gold in the M

Grant and Martin Kenny. Picture: Facebook.

asters racing while the daughter of iron champions Wes and Jade Burg - Miller Mae - made her Aussies debut with great success in the youth titles.

The Morris twins, originally from Newport but now racing for Northcliffe, turned plenty of heads with medals galore in the under 19s.

Northcliffe trio Ryley Harland, Jake and Mitch Morris. Picture: SLSA

The Brennan family also had a stellar meet with Riley finishing third in the U19 surf race.

Surfers Cruz and Sari Mckee from North Cronulla won three gold medals between them in the shortboard and longboard events.

Young North Curl Curl competitors and brothers Luke and Sam Higgs also impressed on the beach and in the water.

The pair picked up a silver and bronze medal in the U17 ironman with Sam also eighth in the surf race.

Originally published as Standout surnames of Mercer, Kenny, Day and more shine at Aussies Surf Lifesaving Championships.