Get used to change

Brains behind new series defends Iron X format

THE man behind elite surf lifesaving’s dramatic “Cereal Wars” era 30 years ago has defended the sport’s summer upheaval despite ironman great Shannon Eckstein claiming the revamp was “nothing new”.

Retired ironman great Eckstein this week suggested the introduction of the one-off Iron X event might not provide the dramatic facelift the sport needed, comparing some new obstacle elements to his undertakings on television shows

Australia’s Greatest Athlete and

Deep Water.

“It has been done before,” Eckstein told the Bulletin.

But Mike Porra, the brains behind the Uncle Toby’s series and the new-look summer surf format which includes the stand-alone Iron X race, is adamant the rejig will revolutionise the sport.

“It’s never been close to happening before,” Porra said. “Of the 10 new things they’re going attempt, maybe seven of them they’ve never done before.

“The beach elements, none of them have ever been done by ironmen before.”

Porra said invitations for the live-action, continuous race had been sent out last week and that spots had almost been filled – though some athletes were reluctant to embrace the new format.

After spending months analysing adventure sports like the Cross-Fit Games in response to dwindling interest in the Nutri-Grain elite series, Porra believes the fact athletes are resistant to change is because the Iron X race is revolutionary, quashing talk the event is a rehash of the past.

“Most ironmen and women understand that changes are needed to re-engage the media and the sporting public,” he said. “Without question there are a few who don’t like it.

“Some don’t like change and that’s understandable because this is their profession.”

Porra believes Iron X has the ingredients to return the sport to its glory days, tipping a packed Mooloolaba beach for the first race at on January 27.