At the same time former Kiama SLSC member Ali Day claimed his 11th Coolangatta Gold to cap off his illustrious career, a new generation of local athletes were making their mark and staking their claim to follow in his footsteps.

For the first time, Kiama Surf Life Saving Club entered its own competitors in the Coolangatta Gold - with three teams and three individuals taking part across various events on the Gold Coast.

In the Coolangatta Sprint Opens course, Kiama SLSC proved to be one of the standout clubs.

This gruelling course includes a 7km ski, 500m transition run, 1km swim, another 500m run, a 2km board paddle, and a final 1.5km run to the finish line.

Kiama’s best result came from the Kiama Cadets team, who finished an impressive fourth overall. The team featured Pete Gallagher on the ski, Libby Barnes on the swim, Finnlay Smee on the board, and Harrison Smee on the run.

Close behind in fifth place was the family team known as ‘Getting Griffy With It’, made up of David, Charlotte, Hannah, and George Griffin.

“While technically not competitive, our teams finished within two minutes of each other after some spirited jostling for position,” said David Griffin.

“It was an amazing experience for our cadets, with Kiama fielding both the youngest and oldest competitors in the Opens category.”

In the full 25.6km Coolangatta Gold course - comprising a 14km ski, 2km swim, 4km board paddle, and 3.1km run - Kiama entered one team, who placed 6th in the Masters 190+ category.

The Kiama SLSC Masters crew. Photo: Kiama SLSC

“The team included Pete and myself backing up for a second event, joined by Mick Baines and Archer Walters, our Brisbane ringer,” Griffin said.

“The two-lap course had us rubbing shoulders with the top competitors. Despite very average conditions, the team finished a respectable sixth.”

In the Coolangatta Dash U17 Female race, Charlotte Griffin finished fourth, while in the Coolangatta Gold Youth Challenge U15 Male Ironperson event, George Griffin and Forbes Robertson placed inside the top 50.

“Forbes’ commitment to winter training made for a powerful board paddle home,” Griffin added.

Griffin also praised the work of coach Pete Gallagher, who once coached Ali Day.

“Overall it was an outstanding effort. A big thanks to the parents who made it possible and to our own super-coach, Pete Gallagher, whose commitment to coaching our cadets and nippers has been a game changer for our youth development in the water.”