Movie star Charlize Theron rubs shoulders with ironman legend Guy Andrews who is aiming to become a V8 SuperUtes driver

What are Charlize Theron’s links to surf sports and who is the identity looking to make a career in the V8 SuperUtes? Discover that and go inside a foul-smelling road trip to Bulli in this week’s Shore Thing

The Shore Thing summer surf sports column.

It’s little over a week until the first major race of the Summer of Surf series and a ton of athletes are all gearing up for the Sunshine Coast event.

But the news coming from off the beach is just as strong, with stunt driving, famous actors, Olympic quests, foul-smelling road trips and the beginnings of a solid golf career all featuring in this week’s Shore Thing.

FROM TIDES TO TARMAC

Ex-ironman champion Guy Andrews has expressed his desire to compete in the V8 SupetUte Series in a move that would cap off an incredible shift from tides to tarmac.

Andrews is a legend of surf sports, having won three Ironman Series and an Australian ironman title before shifting into coaching where he now mentors the likes of Tanyn Lyndon at Kurrawa Surf Club.

But few know the other side of Andrews. The one that rubs shoulders with global superstars like actors like Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy on movie sets, does stunt driving and has a thirst to race cars.

Guy Andrews pictured with his car.

When he is away from the beach Andrews works part-time with motorsport guru Paul Morris at the Norwell Driving Centre where he gets coaching and he has indicated he wants to race professionally.

“I’m currently trying to get into the V8 SuperUtes Series,” Andrews said.

“I’d like to do the whole series but it’s about getting the right people behind it.”

Andrews has worked on the past two Mad Max movies, filmed in Australia. He worked with Theron in Fury Road in 2012 and again last year for a another that will come out in 2024.

Last year’s movie is the reason he left Tallebudgera after coaching there for five years and opened the door for his shift to Kurrawa.

“I’m a stunt driver and they offered me a job on the next Max Max movie last year,” Andrews said.

A reunion of mates with Guy Andrews and Hayden Smith at the Aussies on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Matty Holdsworth

“My plan was to take my usual six weeks off and then another six unpaid but Tallebudgera didn’t want me to do the movie.

“It was too lucrative to say no to. It was a no-brainer. Then at the same time Kurrawa called and said they needed a coach.

“I mostly do the car stuff in the movies, some motorbike work and train the actors.

“I spent two years doing 1500 shows at Movie World before starting the movie stuff.”

JUNIORS GETTING SALTY

The figure behind one of the Gold Coast’s most famous surf sports events has launched a new program aimed at developing the next generation of stars.

Ty Dowker, who created the famous Burleigh Swim Run and formerly coached at Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park Surf Club, has created the Saltwater Swimmers Junior Salty Squad for juniors aged between nine and 13.

There will be five sessions held each Wednesday over the Christmas school holidays and will aim to improve participants confidence in open water swimming.

There are 45 spots available for the program that will be held at Neptune Royal Life Saving Club.

Visit www.raceroster.com/events/2023/82761/junior-salty-squad-9-12-year-olds

A DRIVE TO GET TO PARIS

Danielle McKenzie’s drive to thrive in sport has never been questioned - but how is her golf drive?

The former Northcliffe competitor, now based back home in New Zealand, is in Western Australia this week for ‘WA Race Week’, the richest surf ski racing event on the calendar.

So what did she pack for such a long journey? Her golf clubs of course.

McKenzie has been spotted with her driver, five-iron, sand wedge and pitching wedge and has played twice already this week.

She has been one of the leading figures in iron racing in recent years, is os the cusp of reaching the Olympic Games for kayaking and many have said she probably has the talent to excel in golf if she ever decided to put her mind to it.

McKenzie, 29, is humble about her skills on the course, declaring a score under 50 for nine holes is a solid round while she hasn’t got a handicap yet.

Danielle McKenzie won the open women's ski race at the 2022 Summer of Surf Shannon Eckstein Classic at BMD Northcliffe. Picture credit: Shane Myers 2022.

“Since I have been kayaking I haven’t been working because I’m trying to put all my time into that so I get all this extra free time,” McKenzie said.

“I try and play once a week but I don’t tend to keep score and I only usually play nine holes.

“Because I am over in WA on my own and I have spare time between races I thought I’d bring some clubs over.

“I have never played with anyone outside of my friendship circle but because I went to a public course in WA I was put with two guys and I played my best game so far. Maybe I need that extra pressure.”

McKenzie has led the female ranks in ski paddling in the Nutri-Grain Series and Summer of Surf in recent years and after the 2023 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships in March and April she decided to give kayaking a crack.

She moved back to New Zealand two months ago and is one of five girls going for two spots in the K2 team for the Paris Games.

McKenzie featured in the K2 team that finished eighth at the world titles in Germany, with the top six qualifying for Paris.

Now she needs to win at Oceanias at the start of next year to get a spot in what would be another incredible chapter in her career.

FLATULENCE AND FLAT TYRES

Overheating cars, flat tyres and a dog with excessive flatulence.

It’s safe to say the trip from Burleigh Heads to Bulli for last weekend’s Summer of Surf event was an interesting one for the likes of Ben Carberry, Corey Fletcher, Lily O’Sullivan and Claudia Slaven.

The group jumped into Carberry’s ute to carpool to the event on the Friday before the race only to be forced to pull over 30 minutes into the trip because of overheating.

Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park Ironman Ben Carberry in action during the Nutri-Grain Iron Series Round 5 at Kurrawa. Photo: Contributed

After two hours of trying to fix the issue O’Sullivan’s father came to the rescue and gave the group his car, Carberry’s ute was towed back home and the trip south became a 13-hour long drive.

What made the drive difficult was the fact Carberry’s dog, Archie, came along for the ride.

“Archie must have felt sick, he kept farting every 10 minutes for the whole trip,” Fletcher said.

Ben Carberry trying to fix his ute.

“In the ute he would have been in the canopy at the back but in the other car he was with us.

“It was raining on and off the whole way down but we had to keep the windows down because of the smell.”

Fletcher’s ski was cracked over the weekend but Carberry managed a win in the ski and finished high enough in the iron event to sit second overall in the Summer of Surf rankings while O’Sullivan won the swim.

Ben Carberry trying to fix his ute.

The $100 win for his efforts in the ski won’t be enough to fix an engine that may cost him $10,000 to $15,000 but Carberry could win $10,000 and a car if he finishes the iron series on top.

OPEN IRON MALE AND FEMALE START LISTS FOR THE HAYDEN KENNY CLASSIC ON DECEMBER 1 AND 2

Women:

Brittany Hooton (Emu Park)

Chloe Hooton (Emu Park)

Alana Picton (Kurrawa)

Michaela Whitmee (Kurrawa)

Emily Doyle (BMD Northcliffe)

Bella Williams (BMD Northcliffe)

Olivia Corrin (BMD Northcliffe)

Lana Rogers (BMD Northcliffe)

Hannah Sculley (BMD Northcliffe)

Georgia Miller (BMD Northcliffe)

Bree Mccowatt (BMD Northcliffe)

Naomi Scott (BMD Northcliffe)

Claudia Kelly (BMD Northcliffe)

Jade Slee (BMD Northcliffe)

Ruby Meehan (BMD Northcliffe)

Alyssa Bailey (BMD Northcliffe)

Cyra Bender (BMD Northcliffe)

Chloe Mace (BMD Northcliffe)

Nikita Nijssen-Seran (BMD Northcliffe)

Sara Tazaki (BMD Northcliffe)

Tara Newton (BMD Northcliffe)

Lily Finati (BMD Northcliffe)

Madeline Thomson (Mermaid Beach)

Alex Lefevre (Newport)

Analise Kibble (Newport)

Kimberley Doyle (Newport)

Lizzie Welborn (Newport)

Olivia Clues (Newport)

Piper Harrison (Newport)

Pipi Te Pania (Newport)

Georgia Askew (BMD Northcliffe)

Harriet Brown (BMD Northcliffe)

Grier McRae (Emu Park)

Elise Daudignon (BMD Northcliffe)

Tully Elliott (Redhead)

Charlie Burns (Redhead)

Lani Waller (Redhead)

Ashleigh Windsham (North Curl Curl)

Georgia Singleton (Manly)

Ella Garrett (Manly)

Serena Bond (Alexandra Headland)

Eliza Parish (Alexandra Headland)

Zoe Woods (Alexandra Headland)

Milly Petersen (Alexandra Headland)

Leah Pilkington (Alexandra Headland)

Abbie Tolano (Alexandra Headland)

Grace Harris (Alexandra Headland)

Tayla Halliday (Alexandra Headland)

Summer Rolston (Alexandra Headland)

Poppy Cook (Alexandra Headland)

Hannah Deacon (Alexandra Headland)

Annali Philpott (Kurrawa)

Hiroko Kono (Kurrawa)

Haruka Nakamura (Kurrawa)

Chelsea Jentz (Southport (QLD))

Brodee Trinca (Southport (QLD))

Morgan Trinca (Southport (QLD))

Sienna Bush (North Burleigh)

Zoe Longhurst (Maroochydore)

Charlotte Davey (Maroochydore)

Claire Van Kampen (Surfers Paradise)

Courtney Hancock (Surfers Paradise)

Emily Holyman (Surfers Paradise)

Immy Stewart (Surfers Paradise)

Lilly Findlay (Surfers Paradise)

Lucy Derbyshire (Surfers Paradise)

Grace Giblett (Surfers Paradise)

Gemma Smith-Welch (Sunshine Beach)

Eva Parish (Surfers Paradise)

Rhiannon Copsey (Maroochydore)

Bianca Rayward (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Brielle Cooper (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Charlize Menefy (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Charlotte Cross (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Claudia-Rose Slaven (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Corey Fletcher (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Grace Otto (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Holly Maine (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Jasmine Rayward (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Kirstie Hardstaff (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Lily O’Sullivan (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Soraya Lee (Mullaloo)

Yukiko Nambu (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Holly Holmesby (Currumbin)

Emma Woods (Alexandra Headland)

Jayda Kempton (Currumbin)

India Hulbert (Wanda)

Freya Wilson (Sunshine Beach)

Electra Outram (Sunshine Beach)

Courtney Bryant (Maroochydore)

Tiarnee Massie (Maroochydore)

Dominique Stitt (Maroochydore)

Katelyne Irwin (Dicky Beach)

Dakota Luke (Dicky Beach)

Anastasja Hughey (Dicky Beach)

Kaitlin Rees (Swansea Belmont)

Kelsey Punter (Dicky Beach)

Olive Pearce (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Sophie Walters (Manly)

Brooke Derz (Newport)

Yve Warren (Maroochydore)

Tara Shotter (Club Not Listed)

Carla Papac (Noosa Heads)

Sive Gibson (Alexandra Headland)

Men:

Alexander Walker (Cooks Hill)

Charlie Walker (Cooks Hill)

Tim Senior Skinner (North Bondi)

Luke Chapman (Kurrawa)

Jackson Bond (Kurrawa)

Texas Dixon (BMD Northcliffe)

Jake Morris (BMD Northcliffe)

Auden Parish (BMD Northcliffe)

Matt Bevilacqua (BMD Northcliffe)

Ryley Harland (BMD Northcliffe)

Joe Collins (BMD Northcliffe)

Tanner Baxter (BMD Northcliffe)

Zach Morris (BMD Northcliffe)

Mitch Morris (BMD Northcliffe)

Thomas Scott (BMD Northcliffe)

Cory Taylor (BMD Northcliffe)

Toby Beker (Cooks Hill)

Wesley Gould (BMD Northcliffe)

Robert Whittaker (BMD Northcliffe)

Kai Harland (BMD Northcliffe)

Matthew Gilling (Mermaid Beach)

Jensen Walton (Mermaid Beach)

Jeremy Kneen (Mermaid Beach)

Jack Walton (Mermaid Beach)

Tom Osborne (Mermaid Beach)

Ben Blakeney (Newport)

Charlie Brooks (Newport)

Charlie Verco (Newport)

Conner Maggs (Newport)

Jackson Borg (Newport)

Lachlan Warrener (Newport)

Luke Chaffer (Newport)

Thomas Doyle (Newport)

Anthony Doyle (Newport)

Jack Dufaur (BMD Northcliffe)

Mael Tissier (BMD Northcliffe)

Nicholas Green (Currumbin)

Riley Rasmussen (North Burleigh)

Ryan Green (Currumbin)

Blake Cook (Redhead)

Daniel Collins (Redhead)

Isak Costello (Redhead)

Justin McMorland (Redhead)

Ryan Muggeridge (Tugun)

Kendrick Louis (Manly)

Hayden Cotter (Manly)

Alec Stewart (Alexandra Headland)

Byron Oliphant (Alexandra Headland)

Dylan Pilkington (Alexandra Headland)

Henry Simpson (Alexandra Headland)

Conor Cook (Alexandra Headland)

Cade Richardson (Alexandra Headland)

Rhys Burrows (Alexandra Headland)

Cooper Williams (Alexandra Headland)

Brayden Casamento (Alexandra Headland)

Campbell Guthrie (Alexandra Headland)

Keenan Gray (Alexandra Headland)

Kyton Pickering (Alexandra Headland)

Callum Brennan (Currumbin)

Riley Brennan (Currumbin)

Cooper Bessell (Dicky Beach)

Angus Mackay (Kurrawa)

Max Chislett (Kurrawa)

Tanyn Lyndon (Kurrawa)

Josh Patterson (Southport (QLD))

William Bethe (Southport (QLD))

Nathan Mackenzie (Lennox Head Alstonville)

Joel Piper (Maroochydore)

Sam Harris (Maroochydore)

Byron Dieckmann (Maroochydore)

Cooper Armitstead (Maroochydore)

Alastair Day (Surfers Paradise)

Archie Vernon (Surfers Paradise)

Ben Highfield (Surfers Paradise)

Finn Askew (Surfers Paradise)

Fletcher Warn (Surfers Paradise)

Isaac Keighran (Surfers Paradise)

Jesse Coulson (Surfers Paradise)

Kye Taylor (Surfers Paradise)

Lachlan Campbell (Surfers Paradise)

Lachlan Merchant (Surfers Paradise)

Max Beattie (Surfers Paradise)

Rhys Mullholand (Surfers Paradise)

Trevor Hendy (Surfers Paradise)

Will Larven (Surfers Paradise)

Mitchell Stitt (Maroochydore)

Daniel Callebaut (Surfers Paradise)

Ky Kinsela (Tugun)

Ben Carberry (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Blake Hessel (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Boadie Parker (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Campbell Greeves (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Daniel Barron (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Darby Meyer (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Declan Dempster (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Dillon Howell (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Drew Green (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Ethan Callaghan (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Ky Howell (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Noah Thomas (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Samuel Frost (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Samuel O’Connor (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Saxon Coates (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Sean Rielly (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Taj Andrews (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Will Savage (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Zach King (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Lucas Berezwick (Currumbin)

Andie Parker (Currumbin)

Nicholas Middleton (Wanda)

Noah Steiner (Wanda)

Brendan Otto (Sunshine Beach)

Zale Outram (Sunshine Beach)

Patrick Davies (Sunshine Beach)

Oliver Monaghan (Maroochydore)

Stephen Carcary (Cooks Hill)

Bodhi Emery (Dicky Beach)

Joseph McMenamin (Mooloolaba)

Jude Dean (Tugun)

Santxo Etcheverry (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park)

Maalik Moston (Surfers Paradise)

Finn Dungavel (Alexandra Headland)

Sebastian Fergusson (North Bondi)

Jay Furniss (Cronulla)

Nathan Jay (Cronulla)

William Banister (Cronulla)

Jack Robertson (Cronulla)

Samuel Hensen - Thompson (Alexandra Headland)