MUM'S THE WORD AS DONNA KEEPS ECKSTEIN NAME AFLOAT IN THE nib COOLANGATTA GOLD
October 9: The Eckstein name is synonymous with thoroughbred athletes in Australian surf lifesaving with Australian champion Shannon Eckstein and nib Coolangatta Gold winning brother Caine following in the footsteps of their late father Billy - himself a legend of the surf.
But now it's mother Donna's turn to carry on the family tradition in this year's nib Coolangatta Gold on October 18.
Donna will celebrate her 50th birthday on October 17 and will commemorate the milestone when she attempts the gruelling 30.5km women's course (ski, board, swim and paddle) from Surfers Paradise to Currumbin and return.
Husband Billy finished seventh in the first ever Coolangatta Gold, won by Guy Leech in 1984 while Caine has won the race twice in 2005 and 2008 and will be attempting a record third win in 2009 while Shannon has placed second in 2007 and third in 2005.
"It's always been in the back of my mind, watching the boys do it and I was thinking I could do something like that too," said Donna yesterday.
"So I thought I would do it sooner rather than later and seeing it just happens that I turn 50 the day before, I thought that would be good...I turn 50, I'll do the race and I'll have a big party afterwards. Anyway I'll see how it goes."
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In a special interview with son Shannon, he quizzed his mum about her plans and how much pressure there was carrying the Eckstein name.
"I do feel a bit of pressure with the Eckstein name but I'm just there to finish the race (not win it) although I am a bit competitive with myself," said Donna.
"I have to try and stop putting the pressure on and I have to remind myself that I am just there to finish the race." 
And how is her preparation coming along?
"Well my background is zilch for surf lifesaving....I have (hardly) ever been on a board before although I have paddled to get my bronze medallion and been in the canal with the kids but I have never been out in the ocean," said Donna.
"I have been on a ski before and caught waves but my only claim to fame is outriggers which we were quite competitive in about 10 years ago now.
"I have obviously kept fit over the years but not to the level that you need to complete the Coolangatta Gold.
"It was a bit of a shock actually, I thought I would have to take a bit of time off work so I ended up taking eight weeks long service leave to train."