[1] In 1984, Peter Schrek was writing a movie featuring the talents of ironman legend Grant Kenny, about two brothers competing for their father's love.
[2] Needing a dramatic climax for the movie, Schrek was sitting on a Gold Coast beach when he came up with the idea of racing from Surfers Paradise, all the way down to Coolangatta, and back up again.
The race was run again in 1991 and 1992, won by Michael King and Darren Mercer respectively (with local Daiman Cartan coming a very close second both times), before escalating costs prevented it from being held again.
[6] 2007 continued the tradition of upsets with veteran Rhys Drury making a break in the board leg and taking win.
During the board leg, in a bid to win his sixth crown, Caine Eckstein tore his bicep and was forced to withdraw.
[12] In 2018 Ali Day claimed a record-breaking sixth Coolangatta Gold crown by a record margin finishing 21 minutes ahead of 2nd placed Max Beattie of New Zealand.
Courtney Hancock’s win firmly cemented her title as the Queen of Surf Sports making her the greatest Ironwoman of all time.
[16] In 1995, Scott Reeves won, and became the last man to win the Gold Coast Gold[17] 4:29.08 The course for the 1984 and 85 events were as follows: An 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) run from Surfers Paradise, over Burliegh Heads to Tallebudegra Creek, a wade across the creek, a short run to the ocean followed by a 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) swim towards Currumbin, a transition to the board leg at Bilinga, which then took the competitors down to Coolangatta beach, where they turned north and paddled a ski all the way back to Surfers Paradise.