Grant Kenny

Grant Kenny is an Australian sporting icon who, like Dean Gardiner, is a titan of the surfski and ocean racing world. While Gardiner is the king of the "Channel of Bones" (Molokai), Grant Kenny is often credited with bringing the sport of Ironman and surfski racing into the professional era and mainstream consciousness.

The 1980 "Double" Legend

Kenny’s most famous feat occurred in 1980 at Maroochydore. As a 16-year-old, he won the Australian Junior Ironman title and then, less than an hour later, competed in and won the Australian Senior Ironman title. This "Junior/Senior double" had never been done before and catapulted him to national celebrity status, eventually making him the face of Kellogg's Nutri-Grain.

Surfski and Kayaking Dominance

While he was a master of all Ironman disciplines (swim, board, and ski), the surfski was his specialized weapon.

• Molokai Challenge: Kenny won the prestigious Molokai to Oahu surfski marathon five consecutive times (179–1983).

   

   

• Olympic Success: He transitioned his surfski skills to flatwater kayaking, winning an Olympic Bronze Medal in the K2 1,000m at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

   

   

• Australian Titles: He held the Australian Senior Single Ski title for nearly a decade, from 1981 to 1989.

Comparison: Grant Kenny vs. Dean Gardiner