Jim Wall Classic
The Jim Wall Classic will start 10am Sunday 7th of Jan 2024
The Jim Wall Iron event has been an iconic part of the Surf Coast lifesaving culture since ‘60s, in fact it’s the longest running iron event in the world.
The Wall family’s massive contribution to Torquay SLSC started in December 1945 at Jim Wall’s campsite, behind the surf beach sand dunes, when forming a surf club was proposed – within weeks the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club was founded on Jim Wall and Frank Murphy’s motion. Jim’s brother, Tom, became honorary secretary in 1947, serving 7 years in all and Jim was elected President in 1949, to continue for 13 years.
Under Jim’s leadership the Club took on many firsts, but of great significance was the staging of the Australian & International Surf Life Saving Championships in 1956, in conjunction with the Melbourne Olympic Games, viewed on the surf beach by about 70,000 spectators.
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Key Dates and Times
The Jim Wall Classic will start at 10:00 am on Sunday 7th, January 2024.
As is the nature of these events, event start times may differ slightly, however, the following is the expected schedule for the day.
Warm up start and finish time 8:00-9:45 am within allocated area.
Competitors must be out of the water before 9:45 am.
Team Managers Meeting
Team Managers meeting will take place at 9:15 am on the grass area to the side of the Club. Please ensure that each Club supplies a Team Manager for this meeting.
Online registrations close Thursday 4th Jan, 11:59 pm.
On the day last minute entries may be taken, subject to Chief Referee discretion from 8:00-8:30 am and will incur a $100 registration fee. Event entries strictly close at 8:30 am on the day of the event.
Medal presentations
Medal presentations will be held after each final. It is important that competitors are present. Please ensure that if you are due to receive a medal that you remain to receive it following your event.
Trailer parking
Parking for competitors with club trailers will be signed at the bottom of the hill on Surf Beach drive and will be clearly signed. (See map provided)
Registrations
ALL competitors must be registered through LiveHeats to start in all events. Competitors must bring their LiveHeats competitor wrist bands if they have one. For competitors that do not have a wrist band, please report to the registration table (see map) to collect yours between 8:00-9:30am. All competitors must register their attendance at the event between 8:30-9:30 am at the registration tent.
High-vis rash vests – mandatory
All competitors must bring, and wear their own high-vis rash vest and competition cap to the event.
Craft management
Each competitor must have their own handler wearing a competition cap and high visibility rash vest. Extra craft management at the completion of events will be available (except for iron events) as most events will be completed with a run.
Event finishes
All event finishes will involve a run through the arch without craft (but ski paddlers must carry their paddle through the finish line).
Amenities
Bathrooms are accessible at the bottom of the grass hill on Surf Beach drive. Both toilet and shower access will be available.
Food and Drinks
During the day, a BBQ will running and meals will be available for purchase in the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club for lunch from 12:00-3:00 pm and dinner 5:00-7:30 pm. The Torquay Surf Life Saving Club kiosk will also be open for the day.
Event Merchandise
Merchandise will be available for purchase at the front of the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club.
Socials
Use #jimwall2024 on Facebook @jimwallclassic and Instagram @jimwallclassic
- Open Male & Female Ski Race Heats
- Open Male & Female Run Swim Run
- U13 Female Board Race
- U13 Male Board Race
- U15 Female Board Race
- U15 Male Board Race
- U17 Female Board Race
- U17 Male Board Race
- Open Female Board Race
- Open Male Board Race
- U13 Male & Female Surf Race
- U15 Male & Female Surf Race
- U17 Male & Female Surf Race
- Open Male & Female Surf Race
- U17 Male & Female Ski Race
- Open Female Ski Race Final
- Open Male Ski Race Final
18. U13 Female Iron
19. U13 Male Iron
20. U15 Female Iron
21. U15 Male Iron
22. U17 Female Iron
23. U17 Male Iron
24. Open Female Iron
25. Open Male Iron
26. Open Male & Female Double Ski
27. U13 Male & Female Board Relay
28. U15 Female Board Relay
29. U15 Male Board Relay
30. U17 Female Board Relay
31. U17 Male Board Relay
32. Open Female Board Relay
33. Open Male Board Relay
34. U17 Female Ski Relay
35. U17 Male Ski Relay
36. Open Female Ski Relay
37. Open Male Ski Relay
38. U13 Male & Female Aqua Cameron Relay
39. U15 Male & Female Aqua Cameron Relay
40. U17 Female Taplin Relay
41. U17 Male Taplin Relay
42. Open Female Taplin Relay
43. Open Male Taplin Relay
Starting as the Jim Wall “Surfathon” in 1962, named for early club resident Jim Wall, the unique event was first created at TSLSC to challenge all round surf and water ability, with an endurance format including continuous efforts in swimming, board and ski paddling and beach running. It is believed to be the first continuous ironman event ever staged, in that format that has now become standard. The event has become a coveted ‘hit out’ for both local and interstate athletes, with the sought-after prize being a hand on the Jim Wall trophy.
Having been won by many well-known athletes over the years, such as Matt Bevilacqua, Harriet Brown, Naomi Scott and Georgia Miller, the event has seen its fair share of local champions too – names such as David Strahan, Zeb Walsh, Cliff Goulding, and Terry Wall (son of Jim) in the early days, have graced the podium.
In modern times the event has become part of a national circuit and as females have greatly bolstered the surf life saving movement, they are now competing in their section of the event as fiercely as their male counterparts.
Now part Summer of Surf Series as a 5000 point event, The Jim Wall Iron is now a drawcard for athletes seeking to gain an advantage in the season while competing for one of the most coveted trophies in all of Australia.
The event is also a free spectator sport for visitors and gives prime time exposure for a huge cross-section of the community and tourists visiting the area. The event is promoted heavily and is a drawcard for visitors to Torquay and the local surrounds. With the Torquay Surf Beach providing a natural amphitheater anchored by the Torquay Surf Club which features a bar with the best view in the world, thousands flock to the beach to enjoy the spectacle of surf sports.
