Surf life saving family team up for crack at Coolangatta Gold
They could just catch up at a local restaurant. Instead this Central Coast family plan to race one of Australia’s most iconic sporting events together this weekend.
Central Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Jemma Smith in a class of her own
- Joeys footballer learning new tricks
- V8 Supercars gun Mark Winterbottom’s advice
At the average family get-together the most strenuous activity is wrangling a rogue sausage on the BBQ or wrestling with a fold up chair.
But the Mensforth family like to do things differently.
Rather than a relaxed family gathering in the shade at the beach or local park, this clan have opted to do something completely out of the box — race the teams event at the famous Coolangatta Gold.
JOIN NOW: NewsLocal digital subscription offer: $1 a week for the first 8 weeks
The super fit Central Coast family have been training for the mixed teams race to be contested Saturday on the Gold Coast.
Son Chris Mensforth suggested the idea to his family after doing the long distance race made famous by the 1984 movie, The Coolangatta Gold, last year.
“I did the full course on my own last year and they all came up to watch and help,’’ Mensforth said.
“We watched a friend do it (the teams) and they said ‘we can do that’ which I kind of laughed off.
“Then it came to entering and when you had to pay and I said, ‘you won’t do it’. But they did and here we are.’’
Mensforth, 28, will be joined in the teams racing by sister Jess, 24, who works for the NSW Swifts Super Netball club, mother Deborah and father Garry, who was the long serving manager of the Australian surf life saving team.
While he competes for Terrigal, his parents and sister are members of the Umina surf life saving club.
“Mum and dad were pretty good when younger. They did ironman triathlons at Foster and the Waikiki ocean swim,’’ said the Copacabana primary school teacher.
“Dad used to race in surf life and has Masters state medals as well.’’
Mensforth said the family enjoy doing sport and other activities together and are looking forward to testing the fitness in the race on Saturday.
“We are close. It’s nice to do things with them,’’ he said. “We went to Japan snowboarding as a family as well.
SEVEN HEAVEN: Rugby league ref’s dreaming big
TEENAGER: Sydney FC gun brings his A-Game
“It’s great mum and dad love doing this stuff and it’s special to do this as a family. There’s not a lot who would or could do it as a family.’’
The teams event involves a 10.5km ski, 2.5km swim, 3.5km board and 5km run.
The famous Coolangatta Gold is significantly longer at 41.8km.
This event — comprising surf ski paddling, running, swimming and paddle boarding — this year doubles as the opening leg of the Nutri-Grain ironman and ironwoman series.
Umina ironman Jemma Smith will line up in her first Coolangatta Gold on Sunday.
IN OTHER SPORT
