Iron Woman
noun - Iron Woman (or Ironwoman) is the female version of the Ironman (surf lifesaving) events that were developed in 1964 in Australia by Valentine Trainor and combine the four main disciplines of surf lifesaving into a single race: ocean swimming, board paddling, ski paddling and running. The Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Surf Ironman Series and the Ironwoman Series features Australia’s best surf living saving athletes competing in the most grueling ocean-based competition on the planet.
The 2011-2012 series is conducted over six rounds at iconic Australian beaches including Surfers Paradise, Portsea, Perth, Coolum and Noosa Heads. The Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Surf Ironman Series and the Ironwoman Series features 21 athletes and the Ironwoman Series will feature 20. All six races will feature popular formats that test endurance, power, skill and speed and be broadcast nationally on Network Ten.
Perhaps the most famous ironman was Grant Kenny, who in 1980 at the age of 16 made the event famous by winning the Australian Junior and Australian Open Ironman championships within the space of half an hour. Kenny became a national hero, appearing on cereal boxes and television advertisements, and was seen as the pinnacle of Aussie sportsmen. The short Ironman event became famous and the center of attention at all surf carnivals.
Both the Ironman (surf lifesaving) and Iron Woman are different from the Ironman triathlon which is a long-distance endurance contest comprising three consecutive events, usually open water swimming, cycling and distance running. The sport of Ironman triathlon is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) consisting of a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bike and a marathon 42.195-kilometer (26.219 mi) run, raced in that order.
