Ironman Legend Grant Kenny Captures Surf Lifesaving Title

grant-kenny-surf-lifesaving
Photo Courtesy: Harvpix

Ironman legend Grant Kenny has turned back the clock at the 2015 Australian Masters Surf Lifesaving Championships at North Kirra today.

Wearing the same Alexandra Headlands colours that he wore to win his historic 1980 Australian junior and senior Ironman titles, Kenny added another ironman title to his long list of honours.

He lined up in a star-studded field in the competitive 50-54 years ironman final and was never headed, leading through the ski, board and swim to finish ahead of Scott Thompson (North Bondi) and Glenn Lawrence (Byron Bay).

The four-time Australian ironman champion and two-time Olympian returned to his original club this season after stints with Mooloolaba and Noosa Heads – reliving past glories when he became the first competitor in the history of surf lifesaving to win the Junior-Senior Ironman titles in one day at Maroochydore in 1980.

“It’s great being back at Alex, nice to be back at the club and seeing so many old faces walking past and saying hi…it feels right,” said Kenny, who admitted if it wasn’t for son Jett he probably wouldn’t be racing. “I’m really back supporting my son Jett and joining him in enjoying the training when I can juggle it with my business commitments. Where I live near Mooloolaba I can just take an hour off, jump on the ski and be back in the office.”

Earlier in the day, Kenny finished second to noted board specialist and former Australian champion Gavin Hill (Northcliffe) in the board final with both agreeing they are now “smarter heads on old shoulders.”

Kenny also finished second in the single ski behind North Cottesloe’s Nicholas Taylor with Rob Dorrough (Surfers Paradise) third.

Kenny’s younger brother Martin made it a Kenny family double when he won the 45-49 years single ski final from Michael Waide (North Burleigh) and Kirk Jarrott (Maroochydore).

Meanwhile, after a lifetime of competition that netted him a total of 16 Aussies gold medals, North Cronulla’s SLSA Hall of Famer Steve Warren returned to competition at the Masters championships after a five year lay-off.

Waiting for him were granddaughters, four-year-old twins Andie and Montana and 15 month old Lila who were front and centre cheering him on.

“The kids have never seen me race before so it was nice to put the cap on again and have a paddle,” said Warren, regarded as one of Australia’s greatest ever board paddlers.

“I’m coaching the kids down at North Cronulla and we decided to come up and have a float in the board events and have a bit of fun with old mates Stu Cameron and Ian Wallace.”

Warren pulled out all stops to take a closely fought win in the 60 years board race over Tasmanian legend Don Marsh (Carlton Park) and Rod Taylor (Mooloolaba).

He later combined with Cameron to take the bronze in the board rescue won by Maroochydore pair Geoff Dews and Ross Fisher.

Steve’s granddaughters are used to surf carnivals. Their father is none other than former Australian Ironman champion and Nutri-Grain star Nathan Smith who married Steve’s daughter Shannon. Smith will race for Manly in this week’s Aussies.

At the end of day one Australian champions Northcliffe, led by golden girls Lee Vrolyks and Tiarne Smith, board paddler Gavin Hill and swimmers Paul Blackbeard and Stephen Fry lead the pointscore on 169 points from Bondi (125), Noosa Heads (121), Queenscliff (115), North Burleigh (114), Mooloolaba (96), Alexandra Headland (70), North Bondi (68), Kurrawa (65), Maroochydore (65) and Freshwater (55).

Vrolyks, the star of Northcliffe’s Masters team last year, won three gold in the 30-34 years board, surf race and rescue tube while Smith won gold in the tube and board.

Bondi were spearheaded by swim star Simon Nothling who won double gold in the surf race and tube in the 35-39 years; and Dori Miller who won three gold in the surf race, rescue tube and the board rescue with Louise Santos.

In other events:
– Noosa Heads Alison Pegg won triple gold in the board, surf race and tube while club mate Georgina Lynch chimed in with gold in the 55-59 years surf race, tube and board rescue with Phoebe McCubbery.

– Swansea Belmont’s Marilyn Clarence won the surf race, ski and rescue tube in the 60-64 years.

– With Janice Gielis (Cudgen) taking gold in the board and tube and Elizabeth Crilly (Kurrawa) gold in the swim and board rescue with Christina Nicholls.

– Freshwater’s Australian open belt champion Kurt Hanson led the northern beaches club to a successful day, winning the 30-34 years board, surf race and rescue tube with Matt Lemon winning the 40-44 years board; Alan Burns the 60-64 years rescue tube and John de Mestre and Michael Kirkby their first 50-54 years board rescue final.

– Half-Moon Bay’s former Australian belt champion Cameron Dixon won the 40-44 years rescue tube and ironman and finished second with Stephen Seddon to Currumbin’s eight-time Masters winners Chris Maynard and Michael Chan in the board rescue.

chris-maynard-michael-chan-lifesaving

Photo Courtesy: Harvpix

– Terrigal’s Paul Lemmon added to his incredible Masters gold medal tally winning triple gold in the 45-49 years surf race, rescue tube and ironman; silver in the board rescue with James Purcell and silver in the board to Stockton’s John Rowlatt.

– Northcliffe’s Paul Blackbeard and Stephen Fry went 1-2 in both the 55-59 years surf race and rescue tube.

– Fairy Meadow’s Jeff Banks won triple gold in the 65-69 years Board, surf race and ironman while;

– Urunga’s Ken Cook showed age shall not weary him, winning gold in the 70 plus surf race and tube race.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World. To reach our audience, contact us at newsmaster@swimmingworld.com.

2015 Australian Masters Surf Life Saving Championships: Day 1: Nth Kirra:
Men:
30-34yrs:
Board: Kurt Hanson (Freshwater) Chad Poland (Nowra-Culburra)Jamo Borthwick (Currumbin).
Swim: Kurt Hanson (Freshwater) Cameron Pyett (Wanda) Chad Poland (Nowra-Culburra).
Tube: Kurt Hanson (Freshwater ) Chad Poland (Nowra-Culburra) Kiva Galgut (North Bondi).
Ski: Michael Georgaris Jnr (Wanda) Jared Wiseman (Devonport) John Lakeland (Burnie).
Ironman: Chad Poland (Nowra-Culburra) Joel Bolewski (Wanda) Julien Lalanne (Mount Maunganui (NZ)
Board Rescue: Joel Bolewski, Cameron Pyett (Wanda) Kurt Hanson, Matthew Lemon (Freshwater A) Grant Coates, Gregg Slater (Freshwater B).
Sprint: Ross Langbein (Collaroy) Anthony Lyon (Cronulla) David Callan (Queenscliff).

35-39yrs:
Board: Tim Foran (Redhead) Trevor Gee (Avoca) Jonathon Locke (North Burleigh)
Swim: Simon Nothling (Bondi) Robert Brown (Brunswick) Mark Graham (Ocean Grove).
Tube: Simon Nothling (Bondi ) Peter Halfweeg (Maroochydore) Tait Brannock (Wanda).
Ski: Nicholas Crilly (North Burleigh) Shaun Spencer (North Burleigh) Damien Daley (Queenscliff).
Ironman: Mark Graham (Ocean Grove) Luke O`Garey (Devonport) Brendan Collopy (Seacliff).
Board Rescue: Jonathon Locke Brad Rodgers (North Burleigh B) Michael Murray Timothy Walker (North Burleigh A) Timothy Jennett Michael Jennett (Wollongong City).
Sprint: Marcus Kain (Ocean Beach) Ryan Hartshorne (Anglesea) Steven Schott (Nowra-Culburra).

40-44yrs:
Board: Matthew Lemon (Freshwater) Stephen Seddon (Half Moon Bay) Glenn Slater (Nth Curl Curl).
Swim: Mark Forrester (North Burleigh) Simon Watkins (Bondi) Shane Edmonds (Anglesea).
Tube: Cameron Dixon (Half Moon Bay) Matthew Collopy (Seacliff) Mark Forrester (Nth Burleigh).
Ski: Jim Walker (North Bondi) Martin Rees (Swansea Belmont) Michael Locke Bulli
Ironman: Cameron Dixon (Half Moon Bay) Matthew Collopy (Seacliff) Mark Forrester (Nth Burleigh).
Board Rescue: Michael Chan Christopher Maynard (Currumbin) Cameron Dixon Stephen Seddon (Half Moon Bay) Mark Jacobs Darren Naylor (Alexandra Headland).
Sprint: Nathan McKay (Newport) Malcom MacDonald (Spencer Park) Jayson Lincoln (Sth Maroubra).

45-49yrs:
Board: John Rowlatt (Stockton) Paul Lemmon (Terrigal) Rick Van Kampen (Coolangatta).
Swim: Paul Lemmon (Terrigal) John Baxter (Maroochydore) Simon Storry (Nth Bondi).
Tube: Paul Lemmon (Terrigal) John Baxter (Maroochydore) Simon Storry (North Bondi).
Ski: Martin Kenny (Alexandra Headland) Michael Waide (Nth Burleigh) Kirk Jarrott (Maroochydore).
Ironman: Paul Lemmon (Terrigal) Roger Souter (Maroubra) Michael Waide (Nth Burleigh).
Board Rescue: Adam Payne Darren Schott (Maroubra) Paul Lemmon James Purcell (Terrigal) Steve Allan Peter Laing (North Entrance).
Sprint: Michael Gedz (Queenscliff) Brian Dolly (Queenscliff) Evan Judd (Somerton).

50-54yrs:
Board: Gavin Hill (Northcliffe) Grant Kenny (Alexandra Headland) Scott Thomson (Nth Bondi).
Swim: Scott Thomson (North Bondi) John de Mestre (Freshwater ) Glen Lawrence (Byron Bay ).
Tube: Christopher Gately (Coogee (NSW) Craig Chapman (Surfers Paradise) Scott Unicomb (Northcliffe).
Ironman: Grant Kenny (Alexandra Headland) Scott Thomson (Nth Bondi) Glen Lawrence (Byron Bay).
Ski: Nicholas Taylor (North Cottesloe) Grant Kenny (Alexandra Headland) Robert Dorrough (Surfers Paradise).
Board Rescue: John de Mestre Michael Kirkby (Freshwater) Gavin Hill Scott Unicomb (Northcliffe) Martin Ashfield Craig Chapman (Surfers Paradise).

Sprint: Stephen Nelson (Queenscliff) Nigel Kassulke (Manly) Craig Parker (Mooloolaba).

55-59yrs:
Board: Dale Penman (Mermaid) Mark Bennetts (Southport (QLD) Greg Clifford ( North Bond).
Swim: Paul Blackbeard (Northcliffe) Stephen Fry (Northcliffe) Andrew Lanyon (Henley).
Tube: Paul Blackbeard (Northcliffe) Stephen Fry (Northcliffe) Neville Fielder (Henley).
Ski: Greg Juniper (Tallebudgera) Douglas Iredale (Northcliffe) Greg Clifford (Nth Bondi).
Ironman: Mark Bennetts (Southport (QLD) Greg Clifford (Nth Bondi ) Colin Mustoe (Byron Bay).
Board Rescue: Paul Pattison Gary Timperley (Byron Bay B) Geoff Brodin Colin Mustoe (Byron Bay A) Stephen Fry Bruce Kolkka (Northcliffe).
Sprint: David Shearsby (Queenscliff) Paul Pattison (Byron Bay ) David Hutchison (Glenelg).

60-64yrs:
Board: Stephen Warren (North Cronulla) Donald Marsh (Carlton Park) Rod Taylor (Mooloolaba).
Swim: Donald Marsh (Carlton Park) Rod Taylor (Mooloolaba) Tony Curran (Nth Avoca).
Tube: Alan Burns (Freshwater) Tony Curran (North Avoca) James Dougherty (Yamba).
Ski: Rod Taylor (Mooloolaba) Paul Carter (Caves Beach) Kevin Jeffery (Kurrawa).
Ironman: Rod Taylor (Mooloolaba) Donald Marsh (Carlton Park) Chris Mcguckin (Avalon).
Board Rescue: Geoffrey Dews Ross Fisher (Noosa Heads) Kennith Broomfield Tony Curran (North Avoca) Stewart Cameron Stephen Warren (North Cronulla).
Sprint: Ted Smithies (Newport) Ken Eldridge (Alexandra Headland) Stuart Keay (Surfers Paradise).

65-69yrs:
Board: Jeff Banks (Fairy Meadow) Laurence Jennett (Wollongong) Paul Vale (Brighton (SA).
Swim: Jeff Banks (Fairy Meadow) Michael Cook (Trigg Island) Ross Taylor (Thirroul).
Tube: Robin Slattery (Cottesloe) Jeff Banks (Fairy Meadow) Christopher Shapland (Maroochydore).
Ski: Robin Slattery (Cottesloe) Paul Vale (Brighton (SA).
Ironman: Jeff Banks (Fairy Meadow) Paul Vale (Brighton (SA) Michael Cook (Trigg Island).
Board Rescue: Edward Kwanten Danny White (Queenscliff) Christopher Shapland Len Wood (Maroochydore) Euan Poulton Ross Taylor (Thirroul).
Sprint: Denis Griffith (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park) Robert Wilson (Queenscliff) Peter Pracy (Toowoon Bay).

70+yrs:
Board: Allan Nicholls (Northcliffe) Ross Blatchford (Redhead) Douglas Andrew (Maroochydore).
Swim: Ken Cook (Urunga) Robert Watkins (Cottesloe) Bill Phillips (Whale Beach).
Ski: John Dring (North Entrance) Russell Trueman (Northcliffe) Campbell Seward (Northcliffe).
Tube: Ken Cook (Urunga) Bill Phillips (Whale Beach) Cyril Baldock (Bondi).
Ironman: Ross Blatchford (Redhead) Neville De Mestre (Nth Burleigh) Allan Metti (Bondi).
Sprint: John McNamee (Clovelly) Glen Wilson (Mooloolaba) Allan Nicholls (Northcliffe).

140: Yrs:
Beach Relay: David Callan Jon Harwood Stephen Hoy Ian Johnston (Queenscliff) Shaun Sursok Ross McSwan Scott Nichols Tumaka Read (Alexandra Headland) Matthew Sierp Emmanuel Padilla Matthew Smithers Phillip Tubby Kyle Williams (Ocean Beach)
230: Yrs: Brett Budd, Robert Emerson, Martin Lynch, Ted Smithies (Newport) Adrian Nash, Craig Parker, Paul Rogers, Glen Wilson (Mooloolaba) Peter Allison, Anthony Coghlan, Jayson Lincoln, John Rooney, David Smith (Sth Maroubra). SLSC
Women:
30-34yrs:
Board: Lee Vrolyks (Northcliffe) Amy Teale (Coogee (NSW) Andrea Miller (Bondi ).
Swim: Lee Vrolyks (Northcliffe) Nicole Locke (Nth Burleigh) Andrea Miller (Bondi).
Ski: Rebecca Short (Seacliff) Kim Findlay (Nth Avoca) Lee Vrolyks (Northcliffe).
Tube: Lee Vrolyks (Northcliffe) Robyn Merritt (Bondi) Nicole Locke (North Burleigh).
Ironwoman: Lee Vrolyks (Northcliffe) Nicole Locke (Nth Burleigh) Kim Findlay (Nth Avoca).
Board Rescue: Samantha Stredwick Lee Vrolyks (Northcliffe) Emily Gillies Robyn Merritt (Bondi) Kirsty Bowlay Nicole Locke (North Burleigh).
Sprint: Sally Cumming (Anglesea) Jenny Plint (Sorrento (WA) Greer Mallett (Wanda).

35-39yrs:
Board: Tiarne Smith (Northcliffe) Tamiel Benjamin (Alexandra Headland) Alena Greensill (Mooloolaba).
Swim: Kirsty Bowlay (North Burleigh) Tiarne Smith (Northcliffe) Cathryn Rayward (Kurrawa).
Ski: Lee Myatt (Port Noarlunga) Lisa Brown (Redhead) Tiarne Smith (Northcliffe).
Tube: Tiarne Smith (Northcliffe) Cathryn Rayward (Kurrawa) Dana Morrissey (Mooloolaba).
Ironwoman: Tiarne Smith (Northcliffe) Lee Myatt (Port Noarlunga) Virginia Pope (Bondi)
Board Rescue: Caroline Mackley Virginia Pope (Bondi ) Alena Greensill Dana Morrissey (Mooloolaba) Tamiel Benjamin Tracy Buhk (Alexandra Headland).
Sprint: Davina Strauss (Coledale) Catherine Donaldson (Kurrawa) Gretchen Taylor (Terrigal).

40-44yrs:
Board: Katrina Egan (Maroochydore) Lisa Wadling (Lorne) Lisa Lower (North Kirra).
Swim: Dori Miller (Bondi) Lisa Lower (Nth Kirra) Kylie Zikarsky (Maroochydore).
Ski: Wendy Reyntjes (Fairhaven) Lisa Wadling (Lorne) Alison Olander (Noosa).
Tube: Dori Miller (Bondi) Lisa Lower (North Kirra) Kristyn Monnock (Mona Vale).
Ironwoman: Wendy Reyntjes (Fairhaven) Lisa Wadling (Lorne) Kylie Zikarsky (Maroochydore).
Board Rescue: Dori Miller Louise Santos (Bondi ) Alison Olander Alison Pegg (Noosa) Jane Cole Caroline McGill (Mount Martha).
Sprint: Kristyn Monnock (Mona Vale) Claire Rafferty (Sorrento (WA) Lee-Anne Grosvenor (Ocean Beach).

45-49yrs:
Board: Jodi Kappler (Port Noarlunga) Elin Ashfield Hedstrom (North Burleigh) Anna Ballara (Northcliffe).
Swim: Laura Thurtell (Forster) LouiseSantos (Bondi) Joanne Carroll-Thompson ( Noosa).
Ski: Fiona Robin Rae (Palm Beach (NSW) Julie Stanton (Noosa) Elin Ashfield Hedstrom (Nth Burleigh).
Tube: Caroline Mackley (Bondi) Joanne Kay (Byron Bay) Laura Thurtell (Forster).
Ironwoman: Anna Ballara (Northcliffe) Elin Ashfield Hedstrom (Nth Burleigh) Fiona Robin Rae (Palm Beach (NSW).
Board Rescue: Anna Ballara Joanne Marrable (Northcliffe)Joanne Carroll-Thompson Julie Stanton (Noosa) Fiona Robin Rae (Palm Beach (NSW).
Sprint: Sharon Deans (Coogee (NSW) Liesl Kett (Mooloolaba) Peta Watkins (Sorrento (WA).

50-54yrs:
Board: Alison Pegg (Noosa) Kerry Perretta (Shellharbour) Sharon Brierty (Avoca).
Swim: Alison Pegg (Noosa) Carolyn Turnham (Port Macquarie) Robyn Henderson (Queenscliff).
Ski: Maree White (Queenscliff) Robyn Henderson (Queenscliff) Jennifer Rogers (Mooloolaba).
Tube: Alison Pegg (Noosa) Carolyn Turnham (Port Macquarie) Sandra Penman (Mermaid).
Ironwoman: Alison Pegg (Noosa) Colleen Harrison (Nth Avoca) Lee Howes (Newcastle).
Board Rescue: Sandra Penman Louise Roberts (Mermaid) Sharon Brierty Fiona Kirkman (Avoca) Joanne Helson Kerry Perretta (Shellharbour).
Sprint: Robyn Henderson (Queenscliff) Merrilee Linegar (Queenscliff) Jo Emery ( Clovelly).

55-59yrs:
Board: Philomena Pettit (Coogee (NSW) Georgina Lynch (Noosa) Joanne Helson (Shellharbour ).
Swim: Georgina Lynch (Noosa) Joanne Helson (Shellharbour) Philomena Pettit (Coogee (NSW).
Ski: Julie Fidler (Noosa) Dale Mowbray (Swansea Belmont) Georgina Lynch (Noosa).
Tube: Georgina Lynch (Noosa) Philomena Pettit (Coogee (NSW) Robyn Jenkinson (Noosa).
Ironwoman: Georgina Lynch (Noosa) Joanne Helson (Shellharbour) Dale Mowbray (Swansea Belmont).
Board Rescue: Georgina Lynch Phoebe McCubbery (Noosa) Marilyn Clarence Dale Mowbray (Swansea Belmont) Annabelle Chapman Palm Beach (NSW).
Sprint: AngieMcPhee(Dicky Beach) Sukie Hammond (Queenscliff) Valoria Crick (Bellambi).

60-64yrs:
Board: Norith Ladner (Mooloolaba) Pauline Jeffery (Kurrawa) Marilyn Clarence (Swansea Belmont).
Swim: Marilyn Clarence (Swansea Belmont) Barbara Attard (Toowoon Bay).
Ski: Marilyn Clarence (Swansea Belmont) Pauline Jeffery (Kurrawa).
Tube: Marilyn Clarence (Swansea Belmont ) Barbara Attard (Toowoon Bay ).
Ironwoman: Marilyn Clarence (Swansea Belmont).
Sprint: Helen Porter (Queenscliff) Kerry Armstrong (Collaroy).

65-69yrs:
Board: Janice Gielis (Cudgen) Ruth Kemp (Tweed Heads Coolangatta).
Swim: Elizabeth Crilly (Kurrawa) Janice Gielis (Cudgen) Christina Nicholls (Kurrawa).
Ski: Ruth Kemp (Tweed Heads Coolangatta) Janice Gielis (Cudgen).
Tube: Janice Gielis (Cudgen) Christina Nicholls (Kurrawa) Elizabeth Crilly (Kurrawa).
Ironwoman: Ruth Kemp (Tweed Heads Coolangatta) Janice Gielis( Cudgen).
Board Rescue: Elizabeth Crilly (Kurrawa) Christina Nicholls (Kurrawa).
Sprint: Louise Smallwood (Collaroy)Helen Clifton (Toowoon Bay) Gladys Honer (Nth Cronulla).

140: Yrs:
Beach Relay: Catherine Donaldson, Helena Grono, Michelle Jeffress, Cathryn Rayward (Kurrawa) Sally Cumming, Abby Lewtas, Ilona Plant, Naomi Symington (Anglesea) Melissa Campbell, Lauren Campbell Donna Cox, Greer Mallett (Wanda).

170: Yrs:
Beach Relay: Diane Broad, Jenny Plint, Claire Rafferty , Peta Watkins (Sorrento (WA) Debra Braddish, Lee-Anne Grosvenor, Richelle Ingram, Allison Tucker (Ocean Beach) Sharon Deans, Helen Deas, Allison Roberts, Linda Walsh, (Coogee (NSW) Carol Jones, Liesl Kett, Nadine McCubbery, Chantelle Minter (Mooloolaba).

200: Yrs:
Beach Relay: Sukie Hammond, Robyn Henderson, Merrilee Linegar, Susan McGinley (Queenscliff) Sue Hale, Siobhan Hallinan, Karen Igoe, Jacqueline Read (Toowoon Bay) Jo Emery, Renny Finch, Wendy Pepper, Caroline Smith (Clovelly).

Northcliffe 169 Bondi 125 Noosa 121Queenscliff 115North Burleigh 114Mooloolaba 96 Alexandra Headland 70
North Bondi 68 Kurrawa 65 Maroochydore 65Freshwater 55.

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