Thirroul to host Iron Series round
By Jeff Wall of Thirroul Surf Life Saving Club
Thirroul Surf Life Saving Club is hosting a round of the Shaw & Partners Elite Iron Series on the weekend of November 13, 14 and 15.
Following the Coolangatta Gold on October 17 and 18, 10 male and 10 female athletes will automatically qualify for the Super Sprint on Saturday, Nov 14, and the Eliminator on Sunday, Nov 15. Start time is scheduled for noon both days.
These 10 qualifiers will be joined by four others from 10 male and 10 female contestants in the repercharge round being staged from noon on Friday, Nov 13.
Therefore 14 athletes will line up for each iron race, which will consist of alternate swim, board, ski and run transition legs on both days in slightly different formats.
Surf stars will conduct a skills clinic for local nippers at 4pm on Friday, November 13.
Surf events for U12 & U13s will start at 8am on Saturday and Sunday before the main events.
This Iron Series round at Thirroul will contribute points towards the final round at Surfers Paradise Beach on February 6 and 7, 2027.
Some of the entrants
- Naomi Scott: The only woman ever to win the Australian individual swim, board, ski and ironwoman titles.
- Tiarnee Massie: 2026 S & P champion.
- Kaitlin Rees: U19 Australian board paddle champion and in the Australian team for the World SLS Championships in South Africa in December.
- Charlie Verco: won the 55km Hawaiian Molokai Channel paddle board race in record time in 2026.
- Connor Maggs: 2025 S & P champion.
- Ethan Callaghan: Australian ironman champion in 2026.
- Lizzie Welborn and Matt Bevilacqua: superb paddle board technicians.
Austinmer/Thirroul Lions Club will run a BBQ alongside a coffee cart and ice-cream van in front of the surf club from about 7am on both days of the Iron Series competition in Thirroul. Parking will be available at the southern end of the Olympic Pool or in the carpark on the northern end of the beach.
Come along and witness this prestigious event being held for the first time on one of Wollongong City Council’s most picturesque beaches.
