Beach start for triathlon

Noosa Main Beach will be the hot spot for action on Sunday 1 November when the Noosa Triathlon kicks off for its 32nd year.
In an exciting change, the Noosa Triathlon will move its swim leg of the course from the Noosa River to start from Noosa’s iconic Main Beach.
Tourism Noosa CEO Damien Massingham said the swim event move will put the spotlight on one of Australia’s best coastal and aquatic experiences and showcase Noosa’s stunning natural beauty.
“Set against the backdrop of the stunning Noosa National Park with its iconic headlands, Noosa Main Beach, or Laguna Bay as it is also known, is one of the only beaches along Australia’s east coast that faces north, providing a calm, sheltered bay for swimmers,” he said.
“With over 8000 athletes competing in the 1500 metre ocean swim, it will be a magical sight to see for the 25,000-plus spectators who come to watch this amazing event as well as the additional national and international viewers who will see the event and Noosa images beamed around the world.”
The Noosa Triathlon is the leading event of its kind in the southern hemisphere and the second biggest in the world.
“This evolution of the Noosa Triathlon will also help to further cement Noosa’s reputation as one of Australia’s leading regional events destinations,” Mr Massingham said.
Ashleigh Gentle, currently ranked 12th on the world Triathlon circuit and the 2015 defending champion, said the Noosa Triathlon is an Australian classic.
“(The Tri) will always attract thousands of keen competitors.
“The race has always been good to me over the four years I’ve competed and I am looking forward to racing hard once again to try and defend my title,” she said.
“The new element of the ocean swim has everybody excited.
“Noosa Main Beach is simply stunning and it makes sense to showcase its beauty within the triathlon.”