Big prizes and big names in Perth’s new extreme mass-participation ocean event
Ironman legend Guy Leech put a team of Woodside staff through their paces this morning to prepare them for entering WA’s the gruelling new Indian Ocean Classic event on 28 January.
Woodside is the event’s presenting partner and the company was first in line to sign up a team entry into the new mass-participation event which covers 25km from Trigg to North Cottesloe in ski, board, run and swim categories. Entrants will be vying for a stake in a $100,000 prize pool.
Woodside Executive Vice President Finance and CFO Lawrie Tremaine said the company’s partnership with the Indian Ocean Classic further cemented its commitment to Surf Life Saving and community events.
“Our social investment program is focused on contributing to the health and well-being of all Australians. We are Surf Life Saving’s National Sun Protection partner, providing sun protection for Surf Life Savers all around the country.
“Our support of the Indian Ocean Classic is an extension of that program and as presenting partner we can further promote health, wellbeing and sun protection today - the first day of summer - and in connection to all activities linked to the Indian Ocean Classic,” he said.
During today’s training session, Guy Leech provided details of two celebrity teams also signing up to participate in the Indian Ocean Classic.
From Channel Ten’s Bondi Rescue Anthony ‘Harries’ Carroll, Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins, Dean ‘Deano’ Gladstone and Adriel ‘Bacon’ Young will be heading west to put their surf life saving skills to the test.
Guy Leech will be teaming up with a group of past Ironman legends including six-time winner Trevor Hendy, ambassador for the sport Craig Riddington and champion-turned-coach Darren Mercer.
The Indian Ocean Classic is a first for Australia. The event is designed to test the skills of surf sports athletes of varying degrees of skill who can compete as individuals or teams in the same categories as the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironman Series – ski, board, run and swim.
That weekend Perth will be immersed in surf sports action as the fourth leg of the Kellogg’s NutriGrain IronMan series follows the Indian Ocean Classic on Sunday 29 January, the first time the event has been in WA in 15 years.
As well as the race itself, the Indian Ocean Classic comprises plenty of other activities and entertainment. These include Surf Life Saving WA nipper clinics with Ironman legends along the length of the event beaches on Friday 27 January, and a Surf Boat Race starting off Cottesloe and finishing at Scarborough Beach on Saturday afternoon.
A highlight is sure to be the Fastest Man and Fastest Woman on the Sand also on Saturday afternoon and the celebrity Bring Back the Biff pillow fight.
Online registration for the Indian Ocean Classic is now open. Competitors can take part in multiple age and entry categories. For further information or to register online visit
www.indianoceanclassic.com.au.