Two of three Eckstein’s competed in the 2009 Coolangatta Gold but it’s not who you expect

The year was 2009 and a young Caine Eckstein was preparing to take to Coolangatta Beach to defend his 2008 Gold crown.

THE year was 2009 and a young Caine Eckstein was preparing to take to Coolangatta Beach to defend his 2008 Gold crown.

Though the 2009 Coolangatta Gold posed a different beast for the Eckstein family.

Up until the year preceding, Caine and Shannon’s mum Donna Eckstein had never paddled a board nor ski or had much to do with the surf at all.

Donna Eckstein, the mother of surf lifesaving stars Caine Eckstein and Shannon Eckstein is competing in the Coolangatta Gold to mark her 50th birthday.

But that year she decided to take on the iconic Coolangatta Gold course to ring in her 50th birthday.

“I would watch it every year and think `I could probably do that,’” Donna said ahead of the 2009 race.

“Then it just happened this year because my birthday is the October 17 (the day before the race).

“So I thought I would make it my 50th weekend.”

While Shannon didn’t compete due to a calf complaint, the matriarch of Australia’s most famous surf family took the shores of Coolangatta for the masters division the same year Caine won a then record third Coolangatta Gold crown.

Coolangatta Gold. Donna Eckstein crosses the finish line win son and winner of the Open Men's Coolangatta Gold Winner for 2009, Cain Eckstein (left).

“A couple of times Caine has taken me out on the ski and it is like `elbows in, shoulders up, paddle up’,’” laughed Mrs Eckstein of her pre-race training schedule.

“I think I would rather just do it myself.

“Shannon took me out in the surf on the board and he got so frustrated with me he ended up putting his board down on the beach and helping me out with mine.”

AMAZING OFFER: GET A SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB A 8.0 WITH THIS BULLETIN SUBSCRIPTION (T&Cs apply)

Inspiring the family was the thought of the boy’s father and Donna’s husband Bill, a Northcliffe surf club legend, who died of a heart attack on the beach in 2006.

Coolangatta Gold. Donna Eckstein after crossing the finish line, with son Shannon Eckstein (left).

“Maybe that’s one of the reasons I’m doing it, I really haven’t thought too deeply about it,’’ Donna said.

Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >

“But I followed Bill when he did it (The Gold) in ‘84 and all he wanted me to do was go down to the shops and get him a bucket of ice cream when he finished.

“I remember that so clearly.”