Surf club five go for Gold

Five members of the Umina Surf Life Saving Club have been busily training in preparation for the Coolangatta Gold race later this year.

Known as one of the most grueling physical events, the Coolangatta Gold is run annually on the beaches of the Gold Coast, this year on November 7.

Umina member Mick Magurren will compete as an individual in the Open events and the overall race being a total of 46.65 kilometres.

The men's race begins with a 23-kilometre surf ski leg from Surfers Paradise to Greenmount before the return trip north that includes a beach run of 0.65 kilometres from Greenmount to Coolangatta; a three-and-a-half kilometre surf swim to Bilinga; a four kilometre beach run to Currumbin and a five-and-a-half kilometer board paddle to Burleigh Heads before the final torturous 10-kilometre beach run from Burleigh Heads to Surfers Paradise.

The team race follows the same course with each team made up of a ski paddler, runner, swimmer and board paddler.

In the team event the competitors are Rick Boylan, Richard Braddish, Brett Whyte and Gary Wilson.

"They have been training hard over the winter months in preparation for this and many other members from Umina have been there to assist and mentor them," Umina surf club secretary Ms Christine Lavers said.

Press release, 24 Aug 2010 Christine Lavers, Umina SLSC