Freshie Members at Coolangatta Gold 2025

Coolangatta Gold 2025

The 2025 Coolangatta Gold was held on the Gold Coast over 18-19 October. ~20 Freshie members made the journey north, fine-tuned and ready to fire after a long winter’s training block.

Despite its shortened length, the new format for 2025 stretched our competitors to new extremes. Contrary to Queensland Tourism jingles, conditions were far from beautiful/perfect. A howling nor’wester cruelly combined with relentless easterly chop for each of the water legs, all before traversing the “Sahara”-like soft sands of southern Cooly Beach. Once around the cairns and sands was more than enough for our Sprint competitors, who could only watch with amazement as Ben Kirkby and James Coates then doubled our efforts in the individual 25.6.

Yet salt-weary eyes and near-snapped calves could never defeat the mighty Freshwater athletes, each of whom did the maroon and white proud with their grit, determination and camaraderie throughout. Battle stories were shared over dinner at Rainbow Bay SLSC, with all members retired to rest tired eyes and legs by a very civilised 8:30pm.

Special thanks to our trailer drivers Michael Bate, Ian Cradock and James Coates, and to all the handlers and families for their support (and tolerance!) of even the grumpiest athletes.

Congratulations to the following members on their outstanding results:

Coolangatta Gold 25.6

Ben Kirkby | 1^st – 30-39yrs Male
James Coates | 10^th – 50-59yrs Male
Team Frangi and the Bower Men (Gav Needham, Peter Block + soon-to-be-members Simon King & Jon Howard) | 3^rd – 190+ Male

Coolangatta Sprint

Michael Kirkby | 1^st – 60+ Male
Millie Hosie | 1^st – 20-29yrs Female
Jade Needham | 3^rd – 20-29yrs Female
Bree Coates | 4^th – 20-29yrs Female
Harry Parker | 5^th – U20s Male
John Landells | 7^th – 50-59yrs Male
Team JAGS2 (Shanny Dyer, Alex Dwyer, Gina McConnell) | 2^nd– 190+ Female
Team Oldie but a Goldie (Steve Bennett, Ian Cradock, James Bennett and Rebecca Stewart) | 4^th – 190+ Male
Team Brisbane River Rats (Sven Gloor, James Love, Rhys Dal Cin) | 5^th – Open Male Teams