Gold Coast Airport has signed up with Surf Life Saving Australia as a Support Partner for one of the most challenging endurance events in surf sports.

The 2018 Coolangatta Gold, which starts from the iconic Coolangatta Beach and tracks up the Queensland coastline and back again, is on 6-7 October 2018.

SLSA Chief Executive Officer Adam Weir welcomed the partnership.

“The Gold Coast Airport is the gateway for so many of our surf lifesavers and their families taking part in this year’s Coolangatta Gold,” he said.

“The airport is the hub for all places on the Gold Coast, and northern New South Wales, we are delighted to start on what we hope is a long and enduring partnership.”

Gold Coast Airport Chief Operating Officer Marion Charlton, pictured with Courtney Hancock, 3 time Coolangatta Gold winner, said the airport was thrilled to partner with the iconic and internationally recognised event.

“This is a key event on the city’s and the country’s sporting calendar, and it takes place right on the doorstep of the airport,” she said.

“Gold Coast Airport has a proud history of partnering with major sporting events that promote the healthy lifestyle and wonderful climate the city is celebrated for, so we see this as a great fit for us.”

The event in 2018 will again feature a short and long-course option for competitors, with the elite Open Male and Female races to be contested over the legendary 41.8km course from Coolangatta to Broadbeach and back.

In 2018, for only the second time, the short course will see competitors race over a 21km highly entertaining one transition course, which will launch the weekend of racing.

The youth event also returns this year, specifically designed for our aspiring young surf lifesavers and future ocean and beach event competitors (under 11’s to under 16’s) who are up for a challenge and keen to be part of the main event experience.

The youth course consists of a 300m soft sand run, a 400m swim, 400m run, 500m board and then a 50m run to conclude under the elite finishing arch.

What began as the central theme for a motion picture 30 years ago, has now commanded a place on Australia’s annual sports calendar.

Entries are now open for the ultimate challenge in surf sport, The Coolangatta Gold. Australia’s best surf sport athletes, corporate teams, juniors and individuals seeking challenge can now register to compete in the iconic event at  sls.com.au/coolangattagold/

Gold Coast Airport’s parent company, Queensland Airports Limited, invests about $650,000 annually into community, business, environmental and tourism events across Queensland and northern New South Wales.

The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, is proud to support the 2018 Coolangatta Gold which features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. Your perfect next event is in Queensland where live events combine with the most incredible destinations, and life is beautiful one day, perfect the next.