Iron X competitors Courtney Hancock and Lincoln Dews are excited to take on divisive event

It’s the event that divided the surf life saving community but Iron X competitors Courtney Hancock and Lincoln Dews believe it’s the ultimate companion piece to a packed summer of surf.

IT’S the event that divided the surf life saving community but Iron X competitors Courtney Hancock and Lincoln Dews believe it’s the ultimate companion piece to a packed summer of surf.

Iron X athletes Katherine Baker, Jackson Maynard, Courtney Hancock, Lincoln Dews and TJ Hendy. Picture supplied.

Iron X made headlines in August this year when the Bulletin revealed some of Australia’s biggest surf life saving clubs were fundamentally against the concept and suggestions that Surf Life Saving Australia were planning for the format, which includes non-traditional disciplines stand up paddle boarding and cross-fit style exercises, to become the future of the Nutri-Grain professional series.

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But Northcliffe surf life saving star Courtney Hancock believes there is enough separation between the elite series and the stand alone Iron X event to please both sides of the debate.

“I’m fully supportive of it being a one-day event,” she said.

“It’s a week after the series ends.”

Courtney Hancock looks on. Picture supplied.

Sunshine Coast athlete Lincoln Dews added: “At the end of the day, I think people will be surprised how brutal it is.”

“The sport is all about challenging ourselves so this is just an extension of that.”

Hancock, who is currently coming third in the Nutri-Grain series, believes that Iron X is the perfect race to take her out of her ‘comfort zone.’

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“I’ve been doing this sport for the past 14 years and I love the sport and I want it to grow and become the biggest sport in the world,” the 31-year-old said.

“I’ve been an ironwoman since I was 17 and stand up paddle board is probably the only craft I’m yet to try.

“I’m a learner and beginner so I’ll be working hard over Christmas time to get myself to the point where I’m comfortable on it.”

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Hancock will compete against her sister Bonnie and fellow series competitors Bay Wildin-Snedden, Danielle McKenzie, Karlee Nurthen, Jordan Mercer, Hannah Sculley, Tiarrn Raymond and Kirsty Higginson.

For Dews, who is a two time world stand up paddle board champion, Iron X was the perfect opportunity to compete professionally in the sport that dominated his childhood.

Lincoln Dews attempts the monkey bars. Picture supplied.

The 23-year-old said he’s ‘never really left’ surf life saving and has recently competed at the Nutri-Grain series trial and the Summer of Surf event to bring his surf skills back up to scratch.

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“The challenge of a brand new event excited me,” he said.

“It’s been a bit of a reality shock coming back and trying to keep up with the series guys.”