Michael King has been announced as the new Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park head water coach

There’s a new King in town at Burleigh Heads – and his name is Michael

THERE’S a new King in town at Burleigh Heads – and his name is Michael.

Legendary ironman and highly regarded surf lifesaving coach Michael King will take up the role of head water coach at Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park Surf Life Saving Club just weeks after accepting a redundancy at Currumbin surf club.

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King was previously head coach at Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast for 15 years, helping put the club on the surf sports map and mentoring many current stars including Ali Day, Matt Bevilacqua, Luke Cuff, Matt Poole, Karlee Nurthen and Kirsty Higgison.

New Burleigh Heads head coach Michael King. SUPPLIED

When the club made cuts to its surf sports program in 2015, King moved south to the Gold Coast and coached Currumbin for five years, steering the club to an Aussies men’s Taplin title in 2018.

The unprecedented restrictions on the hospitality industry due to coronavirus forced the Currumbin supporters club to shut its doors in March, significantly impacting the club’s revenue streams and contributing to King’s role’s demise.

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King will now team up with former Nutri-Grain series star and fellow Burleigh coach Kristyl Smith to steer the club to new heights.

Burleigh Heads surf club president Michael Boyce said the club was excited and honoured to welcome the former ironman and Coolangatta Gold winner to the club.

The Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park surf lifesaving squad have secured Michael King as coach. Pic: Supplied.

“Kingy’s name is synonymous with coaching in surf life saving circles and his credentials are well known by all involved in surf,” he said.

“During his time at both clubs, he earnt the reputation as a well-respected and professional coach.

“We look forward to Kingy teaming up with intermediary board coach Kristyl Smith and what great coaches our Nippers have to look forward to after graduating from our junior head coach Ty Dowker.”