Australian surf life saving titles: Then and now photos as legends master surf
There were guns of the surf and iron heroes. Now these surf life saving stars - including the NRL Footy’s Show’s old Lady Luck - are back competing and you won’t believe how they look.
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Some were household names. Others stars of the ‘Cereal Wars’ where iron guns competed as rivals on the Nutri-Grain and Uncle Tobys series.
Now in their 30s, 40s and 50s, these surf life savers are back on the beach and riding a new wave of success in the surf.
And you won’t believe how fit and how competitive they still are.
DARREN MERCER
The former Wollongong ironman now relocated to the Sunshine Coast is the father of top ironwoman Jordan and competing in the 50-54 year old division in the Masters competition at the Australian championships.
Mercer has already won a silver medal in the 50-54yo board race and plans to compete with his daughter in the open Australian titles later this weeks in the mixed double Ski race
In other results Noosa’s Mercer finished third in the board rescue and second in the board race.
JIMMY WALKER
An Olympic kayaker for Australia at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Jimmy Walker, now a top kayak coach, hails from the famous North Bondi club and won the 45-49 year old open men’s ski gold.
“It’s special because I have a big coaching role and it’s special for me to show hard work pays off to all the younger guys and girls that I coach,’’ he said. “And that effort equals reward and that’s what’s more special.’’
GRANT KENNY
One of the best known ironmen in the world and a proven Masters competitor.
One of his big success’ at the event for the Alexander Headlands based former great was claiming the gold medal in the board race.
On Tuesday he then teamed with brother Martin and Jeffrey Lemarseny to win gold medal in the single ski relay.
He also finished the 150 years Taplin in second and placed first in the single and double ski events for his age group.
JADE SUTCLIFFE, NOW JADE BERG
One of the leading ironwoman in her heyday who went on to be Lady Luck on the NRL Footy Show and also a highly successful public relations manager.
This former athlete from the Sydney’s Sutherland Shire is now based on the Gold Coast with former ironman husband Wes Berg and their three young children.
After 18 years away from competition she has made a big return at the 2021 Aussies.
She won the 35-39 years board rescue and finished fourth in the surf race.
NATHAN SMITH
This former world and Australian champion was also a star of the Nutri-Grain series.
He is now one of the top youth coaches but still enjoying success himself.
Hailing from the Sutherland Shire and now competing for Wanda, Smith won the 35-39 year old board rescue and the male surf teams and finished seconds in the ski relay and Taplin
KRISTY MUNROE AND KIRSTY HOLMES
Kristy Munroe from Alexandra Headlands took bronze in the ski race on Monday and then combined with her old ironwoman rival Kirsty Holmes to take gold in the 35-39 year double ski.
GUY ANDREWS
A former star of he Uncle Toby’s series and now competing in the 45-49 age group at the masters.
Andrews showed he still has plenty of talent, finishing seocnds in the ironman race and single ski relay and third in the surf teams.
BONNIE HANCOCK
Bonnie-Anne Palmer (nee Hancock) has had an outstanding Aussies, picked up her an extraordinary seven gold medals and 10 medals all up.
Now competing for Kurawa, she dominated races in the 30-34 age group, including the ironwoman, ski, surf race, surf teams and board relay.
ZANE HOLMES
A household name back in his day and on the back of packets of Nutri-Grain cereal.
The 2004 Australian ironman champion retired at 31 with back issues.
A five-time Nutri-Grain ironman winner from the Gold Coast, he finished eighth in his heat of the 130 years Taplin event.
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