Eckstein launches big-money surf race

A lucrative two-day surf sport event will be retiring ironman champion Shannon Eckstein's way of saying thank-you when he departs the ocean later this year.

Retiring ironman Shannon Eckstein is launching a lucrative two-day surf sport event. (AAP)

The richest single-day pay day in surf sport will be retiring great Shannon Eckstein's parting gift before he calls it quits later this year.

A winner of a record eight Australian Ironman Championships, nine Nutri-Grain Ironman Series and six World Ironman titles, the Gold Coast favourite will farewell ironman racing at the Australian Championships in March.

But first he will put his name to a new event that will offer $90,000 in prize money and, Eckstein hopes, serve as his thank-you to the sport for years to come.

The Shannon Eckstein Ironman Classic will take place at Northcliffe on March 22-23, with $20,000 going to the winners of the ironman and ironwoman races.

A Dash for Cash on Friday will also offer $10,000 in prize money, with 40 men and 40 women engaged in a knock-out swim, board and ski race to the sand.

"I really wanted to see what I could give back to the sport that has given me so much over my career," the 35-year-old said.

"It will be an ideal warm-up for the Australian Championships at Broadbeach starting the following weekend."

Financial backing has come from Shaw And Partners chief executive Earl Evans, who met Eckstein in Hawaii last year.

"These are the unsung heroes of Australian sport and Shannon Eckstein has been the leader of the pack, and as soon as I heard about it (the concept) I just loved it," Evans said.

"They are such good people and if ever anyone deserves a farewell like this it's Shannon."

A calf tear in the season-opening event at Queenscliff resulted in Eckstein missing the next two ironman rounds.

But a second behind series favourite Ali Day at Currumbin at the weekend has boosted Eckstein as he enters the final weeks of a 23-year career.

"When I look back and I haven't dodged any races or anyone. I know I have raced the best at my best," he said.

"It will be the end of 23 years of going to Miami swimming club to the same pool and same program. There's been a lot of laps there."