ALL IN THE FAMILY FOR 2008 nib COOLANGATTA GOLD

COOLANGATTA, October 8, 2008: The legend that is the nib Coolangatta Gold is littered with family flavour; after all the original movie script was a story about two brothers sweating it out in the banana plantations of the Gold Coast hinterland training for the original 1984 epic.

In the third race in 1992 Coolangatta Gold it was the battle of Thirroul's favourite sons Darren Mercer who held the Gold trophy aloft with little brother Dean finishing third.

The return of the Gold in 2005 again saw two brothers share the podium with Caine Eckstein winning the fifth staging of the big race with brother Shannon third.

Dean Mercer was back in the top three - 14 years after his 1992 placing and like Caine Eckstein he will be lining up again in this year's nib Coolangatta Gold in hot pursuit of lifesaving's Holy Grail.

But the inspiration of the brothers Mercer and the brothers Eckstein has had a domino effect. Now families all round Australia are getting in on the act.

There are brothers, sisters, fathers and sons all chasing a slice of nib Coolangatta Gold glory.

At the top of the family tree is the Smith family from Cronulla and the Gold Coast - Australian champions Nathan, Kristyl and Tiarne all lining up in the marathon from Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta and return for the men and from Surfers Paradise to Currumbin and return for the women.

Nathan finished second two years ago to Zane Holmes but will arrive on the Gold Coast next week for a red hot go in the October 19 Ironman marathon.

Sister Kristyl - herself a former Australian Ironwoman champion is back from overseas to link up with Northcliffe again and she has dragged surfboard riding sister Tiarne along for the 30 kilometre ride.

Then there's Kirsty Holmes who, turns 35 just three days before this year's race and who wants to join 2006 winner, little brother Zane on the nib Coolangatta Gold honour roll.

Northcliffe's former South Australian star Gavin Hill and son Cory will again tackle the big race as will Seacliff SA pair Wayne Jones and son Luke.

"I completed the ski leg in a team last year - got the bug and I have spent the last 12 months training with Luke for this year's individual race and he's got 25 years on me," said Wayne.

Down in Tasmania the Wiseman brothers Adam and Jared are backing up after their foray into the big event last season - inspiring a squad of Ironmen and Ironwomen from around the Apple Isle to join in the fun.

Adam, 29, who left the chills and snow capped peaks of Tasie for a five-week training stint on the Sunshine Coast with 1991 winner and master coach Michael King, has his sights set on a top 20 finish in 2008.

Younger brother Jared, 25, is looking to improve on his 19th last year, with a top 15 finish in 2008.

There are now nine entries from Tasmania and surf sports guru Don Marsh will be making his nib Coolangatta Gold debut.

"The Wiseman boys have been the inspiration in Tasmania and we have all picked up the urge to do the Coolangatta Gold - I suppose we are one big family down here," said Marsh.

"We started a group newsletter to help everyone get through the rigors of winter training and it has added a lot of interest and fun to the campaign."

The Phil Clayton coached Janes boys Michael and Daniel from the Kurrawa are first timers into the rigors of the Gold but have one of the best surf sports coaches in the country in their corner.

Then there are the talented Bolewski brothers Joel and Ben from the Wanda who are both part of the Grant Wilkinson training group in Sydney's Sutherland Shire.

While Joel says his favourite sports star is Tour de France legend Lance Armstrong, little brother Ben opts for ice skating's Olympic short track speed skating gold medalist Stephen Bradbury.

And he might just need some Bradbury inspiration. When it come to the nib Coolangatta Gold...you sure can relate to the "Last Man Standing."

The nib Coolangatta Gold is Australia's ultimate Ironman and Ironwoman endurance race. The event will take place on Queensland's Gold Coast and surrounding beaches on 19 October 2008.

For the second year running, the nib Coolangatta Gold will be open to entries to all elite athletes, not just members of surf life saving clubs.

For more details visit http://surfsports.slsa.com.au/