Australia’s first ironman champion and a Sunshine Coast surf legend is thrilled that a spectacular new event will be named in his honour.
The inaugural Hayden Kenny Classic will be hosted by the great man’s home club, Alexandra Headland, on December 10 and 11.
It will carry $100,000 in prizemoney, something the now 84-year-old could have only dreamt of when he claimed the nation’s first ironman title at Coolangatta Beach in 1966.
Hayden was delighted to be acknowledged with the event, at a beach he knows all too well.
“It’s pretty impressive,” he said.
“I’m fairly chuffed about it … it’s an honour.
“You don’t start out to have these things, you just get into the spirit of surf competition.”
The exciting carnival will be officially launched Thursday, with three generations of surf stars helping promote the future of the sport.
The Kenny family is part of surf lifesaving royalty.
Hayden and his son Grant rose to fame as members of Alexandra Headland, and Grant’s son Jett is an emerging star.
The Shaw and Partners-sponsored carnival will be the first round of this season’s lucrative Summer of Surf series, which is poised to attracted hundreds of Australia’s fittest surf athletes, while providing the region with invaluable exposure and promotion.
Series organisers were thrilled to have Hayden’s name attached to the schedule.
“Hayden Kenny was the first ever Australian ironman champion in 1966 and has paved the way for elite surf sports racing all around the country,” Summer of Surf General Manager Trent Goulding said.
“It is such an honour for us to celebrate Hayden and his achievements by dedicating the first round to him.”
Hayden made a lasting contribution as a lifesaver and lifeguard and was instrumental in setting up the Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service, which has since merged with LifeFlight.
A crew member for 25 years, he helped launch the service in 1979 and it was the first community-based helicopter rescue service of its kind in the region.
Hayden was also a game-changer in the surfing and surf craft industry.
It’s believed he was the first man to surf Noosa’s famed First Point in 1957 and was responsible for introducing the Malibu surfboard to Queensland.
He started his business Hayden Surfcraft in the 1960s and it has blossomed to become a leading supplier of surfboards, rescue boards and surf skis.
Alex Surf Club officials are thrilled to host an event which honours Hayden.
“I’m delighted and also grateful to be joining our fantastic partners in presenting what will be an exciting two days of racing,” club CEO Ashley Robinson said.
“But just as importantly, I am proud to celebrate Hayden Kenny – not only a pioneer of surf lifesaving, but also board riding and manufacturing of all things surf craft.
“The Hayden Kenny Classic will celebrate not only what a true waterman Hayden is, but also the impact his career and his families on surf sports.”
The event will boast $100,000 in prize money, with the open iron titles worth $10,000 and open ski, board and swim events worth $3000 each, along with multiple other events.
Sunshine Coast Council events portfolio holder Councillor Jason O’Pray said council supported top-class entertainment and events in the region.
“The Sunshine Coast is delighted to be hosting the Summer of Surf Hayden Kenny Classic at Alexandra Headland, in what will be a great celebration of surf sport and pay homage to one of Australia’s greatest life savers and proud Sunshine Coast native Hayden Kenny,” he said.
“We trust that all of the athletes and spectators will have an incredible stay on the Sunshine Coast.”
Athletes will compete for a record-breaking $350,000 in the three-event series, courtesy of Shaw and Partners Financial Services.
“We cannot wait for the season to start with the Shaw and Partners Hayden Kenny Classic.” It is our and my personal honour to be associated with such an Australian ocean icon, Shaw and Partners co-CEO Earl Evans said.
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“Australia’s fittest surf athletes competing in the sport’s richest series – it’s going to be a Summer of Surf like nothing we’ve seen before.”
Summer of Surf is also excited to announce The Sports Hub as a major sponsor of the Hayden Kenny Classic.
The not-for-profit organisation, based at Kawana, provides world-class physical and mental support to the Sunshine Coast community and is passionate in collaborating and supporting like-minded businesses and events, reinforced its commitment to improving the health of all.
“I am extremely passionate about health and wellbeing along with the Sunshine Coast community, so it is our great pleasure to be able to align ourselves with the Shawn and Partners Hayden Kenny Classic,” centre co-founder Clayton Williams said.
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“We are extremely passionate in collaborating and supporting likeminded businesses and events, so it is great to be able to align ourselves with the Shaw and Partners Hayden Kenny Classic.
“Surf lifesaving is not just an integral part of the Sports Hub, but more widely a significant part of the Sunshine Coast community, and I hope that everyone has a great time competing at the Hayden Kenny Classic at one of our favourite beaches.”
Entries for the Shaw and Partners Hayden Kenny Classic open on Friday, October 29.
For more information on this year’s series, and a breakdown of the series’ richest prize pool to date, head to:www.summerofsurf.tv/
Summer of Surf schedule
- Hayden Kenny Classic ($100,000), Alexandra Headland, December 10-11.
- North Bondi Classic ($100,000), North Bondi, January 7-8.
- Shannon Eckstein Classic ($150,000), Northcliffe, February 11-12.
