REPLACE THE GOAT? YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME
WHEN asked how she feels about soon becoming the biggest name at Northcliffe Surf Life Saving Club after Shannon Eckstein’s retirement, Courtney Hancock can’t help but laugh.
“Shannon is always going to be the biggest name in surf lifesaving and he deserves to be,” she said.
“We call him the GOAT, the greatest of all time, he’s done it all,” she said of Eckstein, who has amassed a record six World Ironman Championships in his illustrious career.
When Eckstein hangs up the budgy smugglers after next Sunday’s Australian Surf Life Saving Championships ironman final, it will bring to a close 13 years of mentoring, training and friendship between the two club stalwarts.
“I’ve been so lucky to train in the pool with him and be out in the surf with him for the past 13 years,” Hancock said.
“I’ve been beside him at the same club and been able to train with him so I’ve been able to absorb everything off him.
“That’s really helped me get to where I am now.”
While Hancock predicts tears will flow on the shores of Kurrawa as Eckstein emerges from the surf for the last time, the man himself aims to temper his emotions.
“You’ve got to celebrate and I don’t think I’ll be too emotional,” he said.
“I’ve had a great time doing what I love doing for the past 20 years but it’s got to come to an end at some point. My family will be emotional which might make me a bit as well but while I’m racing, I’ll be focused on getting the job done.”
Eckstein will be aiming to add to his record tally of 41 Australian Surf Life Saving Championship gold medals.