Northcliffe president David Shields believes SLSA’s new Iron X format has the potential to kill the sport

Northcliffe president David Shields believes changes introduced by Surf Life Saving Australia have the potential to “be the death of the sport” if nothing is done to reverse them.

NORTHCLIFFE president David Shields believes changes introduced by Surf Life Saving Australia have the potential to “be the death of the sport” if nothing is done to reverse them.

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Industry sources believe that the stand-alone Iron X event, which will introduce new disciplines like stand up paddle boarding and beach obstacles, will eventually pave the way for the new elements to form part of the Nutri-Grain iron racing from as early as the 2020/21 season.

BMD Northcliffe Surf Club members Kevin Morrison (Head male coach), David Shields (President), Naomi Flood (Head Female coach) and Mark Williams (Manager of Surf Sport) are upset at Surf Life Saving Australia over surf events. Picture: Jerad Williams

While Surf Life Saving Australia denied that formal discussions were underway to integrate the new disciplines into the elite series, Shields was adamant that any such move would spell the end of the sport.

“That’s our fear and belief that that’s what they are planning to do,” said Shields, whose club is one of six to form a breakaway Summer of Surf series to run concurrently with the Nutri-Grain iron series.

“If that happens then that will be the death of surf life saving as a sport.”

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A SLSA spokesman said that no formal decisions had been made beyond the upcoming series but that they had a responsibility to protect the future of the sport.

“There haven’t been any formal plans made to incorporate the new elements into the iron series,” they said.

“This is also a trial for us but the purpose of the new format is to re-engage the public with surf life saving athletes and the sport.

“Athletes also need to see how well this can go for surf life saving.”

Shields also said that combining new disciplines with the traditional swimming, running, ski and board legs completely disrespected and belittled surf life saving athletes.

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“The animosity increased towards SLSA through many Clubs informing SLSA that this proposed race format was dangerous and disrespectful to its traditional events that have been conducted for over 100 years and have always created a pathway for our young members that aspire to be the next Shannon Eckstein,” he said.

“We’re all against it.

“It’s disrespectful for the people involved in our organisation.

“You don’t save people’s lives on stand up paddle boards.”

BMD Northcliffe Surf Club members Kevin Morrison (Head male coach), David Shields (President), Naomi Flood (Head Female coach) and Mark Williams (Manager of Surf Sport) are upset at Surf Life Saving Australia over surf events. Picture: Jerad Williams

SLSA acknowledged that the new disciplines went against the sports history but maintained that traditional racing would still headline the surf summer calendar.

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“It’s a good point and it’s something that we talked about,” a spokesman said.

“We still have five rounds of traditional racing and the Iron X is a stand-alone event which athletes don’t have to participate in if they don’t want to.

“We’re well aware of their thoughts and feelings and they were involved in the decision making process.”