There’s bodies everywhere, on their haunches , hands on hips , laughing , in pain,on their knees and then there are those that are throwing up . Hundreds of mostly guys and some girls in their board shorts , speedos and bikinis on a coolish grey morning , July 4 . The Iron Man 
A 30 year+ tradition at the Northern end of Hermosa Beach is an event like no other . There’s a cult like status to this legendary 1 mile run, 1 mile paddle and 6 can scull that has to be seen to be believed .
Lindsay told me about this contest 6 months ago , I had it in the back pocket but I honestly wasn’t that drawn to it . I’ll check it out if I can be bothered . It just happens so that Ash,Al and Tim are here from Australia and we’re all pretty stuffed after our Vegas / Monterey / Big Sur adventure . It’s only when I get out on our front patio and hear the distant sounds of music ,cans clattering and the occasional crowd roar that I realise what’s happening …. “Fuck Ash ,we’ve gotta get down there and have a look ,it sounds pretty big “, I declare . Tim is hardly up and Al’s still groggy …… it’s 830 on the morning of July 4 . 
“Fuckn hell ! It’s happening down there “. “Sure is Troy”, Ash replies . As we get closer it becomes apparent , this is no get together of mates and neighbours for some bragging rites over a local challenge , this is a bona fide under ground event with a host , live band and what must’ve been up to 500 competitors . By the time we turn up the last of the competitors are in and are working on drinking their 6 pack of beer as quickly as they can . This is a riot , a total celebration and something that you could believe can happen here . The cops are positioned 100m back , the life guards are on watch , families are wandering past , runners , swimmers , surfers , everyone goes about their normal morning ….and there are those like Ash and me who are mesmerised by what’s going on ………..”How goods this mate !” “It’s fucken unreal Troy”, Ash replies . Ash has the phone out and starts recording , I’m doing the same , so are others . I quickly let Emma know that shes gotta get down here , same for Al and Tim . The Iron Man has actually been going for 42 years and has a documentary ‘ Run Paddle Chug ‘ dedicated to its story ( check it out ) . I’m fortunate enough to live on 28 th Street which looks directly down below to lifeguard tower 28 , right next to the finish line of the ‘Iron Man’
Eventually things start to loosen up and It’s not long before a circle is formed and some quasi dodge ball , drunken rugby style bull run erupts . One guy goes down holding his jaw , he gets up with missing teeth .Haha ….Love it . It’s messy , but it’s all in good fun and it something that I admired about the police here ………. they stayed back and let everyone let their hair down and hey there were drunk bodies , the odd vomit , plenty of revelry but no malice .. even Leroy watched for a minute …… ” Ok , mate we’ve seen enough ,”I declare only after Emma’s insistence ………………. “Oh well , it’s started boys …. we’re here for July 4 ” Surely you can’t beat this 
Check out these 2 band shots that Tim Allen took ….. it sums it up beautifully ……..l can’t wait for next year………and to any Aussie friends …. it’s worth seeing
aussiehowieinla 