Heart of Gold lifts Mercers
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DARREN Mercer has opened up about the effect of the surf life saving community’s touching support in the wake of his brother Dean’s shock death last month as more details emerge of a Coolangatta Gold tribute to the spirited ironman.
Dean Mercer died in August after suffering a heart attack at the wheel of his car after a training session.
Darren Mercer – one of the best ironmen in the sport’s history and a winner of the Gold – will officially start the elite races on Sunday after a stirring tribute is held to Dean ahead of the iconic endurance race.
The tribute will include a minute’s silence, followed by a “paddles up” start in which athletes wearing black wrist bands with the slogan “Doing it for Dean” will grab their paddles from the sand before taking to their skis for the opening leg of the race.
“It’ll be a great day on Sunday and I know he’d be proud of what they’ve put in place for him,” Mercer said.
“It definitely reinforces (how much Dean was loved).
“We knew what he was like, obviously, but just the amount of support that he’s been given and the tribute – for them to get the arm bands (is outstanding) because this race did mean so much to him.
“It was one of those ones that eluded him for so many years but he just never gave in and that was just something he had in life. It was definitely a race he had great passion about.”
The surf life saving movement’s support for the Mercer family had comforted them in a difficult time, Darren said.
“It’s been a pretty traumatic time, to say the least, but we’re all getting through it, the family’s been really strong and the support we’ve had has been amazing, so that’s helped us through,” he said.
Dean’s wife Reen, a former ironwoman champion, and their four boys have also been buoyed by the support.
“I know they’ve had an invitation from surf lifesaving (to attend the Gold this weekend) but Reen doesn’t want it to be all about her.
“But she’s extremely impressed with everyone and just the support the family’s been given through surf life saving has been great.”
Four-time winner Ali Day, from the NSW South Coast, not far from Thirroul where the Mercer brothers grew up, expected the start to be emotional but hoped to harness that in the race.
“I think if I can use it in the right way it’ll be good,” Day said. “I drew a lot of motivation from Dean … so having that (tribute) on the start line on Sunday will definitely bring up those emotions and I think it’s good, let them in.”
“I think it’ll be a really good motivator and the wrist bands say it all, we want to go out there and do it for Dean.”