Dan Collins leads amazing sweep, Lana Rogers matches Georgia Miller’s three iron titles at Aussies

A “country club” surf life saver has become only the fourth NSW ironman in 25 year to win at the Australian titles as two childhood rivals went head-to-head for the ironwoman crown

An ironman from a “country club” north of Sydney has lead home an extraordinary medal sweep which has left Queensland rivals in shock on a wet, wild and slighty wacky final day of the Australian surf life saving championships.

After Lana Rogers, who has been racing Georgia Miller since they were 10-year-old nippers, thwarted the latest bid for a record fourth iron crown with her third Australian titles in pouring rain and chaotic surf.

Collins, a lifeguard on Newcastle beaches who has never even won a round of the Nutri-Grain series in the past four seasons or a previous Australian iron crown, pulled off a major sting with his sensational victory over.

He also led home a NSW sweep of the iron medals - a feat which has not happened in recent memory.

“Oh man, I am speechless,,’’ said Collins who has been supported by a large group of fans wearing Dan the man T-shirts throughout his season.

Dan the Man fans are front and central when he races events.

Dan Collins on his way to victory. Picture: SLSA

“To come from a small country club like Redhead and come to an Aussies and win this is a massive thing. I’m still in shock. It’s a massive thing for NSW clubs.

“We are super tight knit, we train together, race together and support each other, through the ups and the downs we go through. It’s great.

“I always knew I had a big performance in me. It was a matter of putting it together.”

Which was something he did as he raced to the finish ahead of former Australian winner Kendrick Louis from Manly, Charlie Verco from Newport and Jackson Borg, also from Newport.

Lana Rogers on her way to victory. Picture: SLSA

Ali Day, also from NSW originally but now representing Surfers Paradise, finished fifth in his bid for a record fourth consecutive Australian iron crown.

Day has indicated he will be back racing against next season.

The ironman result left Queenslanders stunned as in the past 25 Australian titles only four NSW athletes have been able to take the iron crown off Queensland clubs in Max Brooks (Newport) in 2019, Louis (Manly in 2018) and Nathan Smith (Cronulla) back in 2005.

The Queensland hosts had more success in the ironwoman - although it came from two former NSW athletes in Rogers and Miller who relocated north to compete for Queensland clubs.

Rogers, a nipper from Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, and Miller, originally from the northern beaches, are now both teammates at the powerhouse Gold Coast Northcliffe club.

Lana Rogers on her way to victory. Picture: SLSA

Roger’s win thwarted Miller’s bid for a record fourth ironwoman crown but completed a perfect season for the 28-year-old after her Coolangatta Gold and Nutri-Grain iron series wins.

“I’m just so happy. This means so much. It’s been a dream season but I just didn’t think that was going to happen,’’ she said after Miller took a lead midway through the race.

“I thought it was over but I managed to score a big body wave out the back.

“It’s been like this (with Miller) since we were 10 years old and now we’re racing and training together, six days a week.

“I think we just make each other stronger, better and there is a respect factor there as well.’’

AUSSIES TO RETURN TO GOLD COAST

The Gold Coast will host three of surf lifesaving’s biggest events in the next 12 months with the 2025 Australian surf life saving championships to be raced at North Kirra in 2025.

The event, which could see the competitor record of 10,000 from 2006 broken, will be hosted by North Kirra and Tugan, with the later club hosting the surf boat competition.

The Aussies will follow on from the world life saving championships at Broadbeach in August and September with the 40th anniversary Coolangatta Gold to be raced in October.

The worlds will be contested by around 50 different countries and will play a major role in International Life Saving’s bid to be added onto the Brisbane Olympic program in 2032.

“We are looking forward to going back to the Gold Coast in 2025, it is a place that has many great memories and historic moments for surf lifesaving competitors all across the country,’’ said Surf Life Saving Australia CEO Adam Weir.

“It is a great location and venue to host an event of this size that only gets bigger each year and we hope that 2025 will be our biggest yet.

“We would like to thank the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and Experience Gold Coast for supporting this event and as well as North Kirra and Tugun Surf Life Saving Clubs who will host this event in 2025.’’.

Lana Rogers on her way to victory. Picture: SLSA

The 2024 Australian surf life saving championships were held on the Sunshine Coast after playing out in Western Australian last year.

The last time they were on the Gold Coast at Kurrawa in 2022 but were relocated south to North Kirra due to wild surf whipped up by a cyclone off the east coast.

The 2025 Aussies will run from March 29 to April 6.

“I want to congratulate all the winners and competitors at this year’s Australian surf life saving championships,” said Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate.

“In 2025 the Aussies will return to our golden beaches, and we can’t wait to welcome them back as part of our successful partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia.

“Surf Life Saving is synonymous with our Gold Coast beach culture and lifestyle. The Aussies epitomise what it means to be an Australian with competitors displaying true grit and determination in this ultimate battle to be Australia’s best. Bring it on.”