Hennessey has returned from Maroochydore with an Australian masters Ironman championship success with the latest gold medal taking his Australian title numbers into the twenties.

It comes on the back of gold medals at the state surf life saving championships earlier this month where he claimed wins in the ironman, ski and board divisions.

Incredibly, in a surf life saving career spanning half a century, he's registered just as many second-place finishes as he has wins.

"If I didn't do it (surf life saving) I'd probably be dead; people play golf, people play lawn bowls and I still belong to a surf club," he said.

"I only do it because I enjoy training and if you enjoy training and exercise you might as well do an event.

"It's been good doing it with Tacking Point surf club ... they've been good and are one of the best little clubs in the country."

He admitted it was also important for elderly people to keep active as much as possible.

"For old people it's good to do some sort of exercise and everyone should do a little bit of it whether it's walking or whatever," he said.

"I don't know if I'll do any more racing, but I'll paddle and swim until I can't."

The 75-year-old admitted his ability to still train with the younger members of the club allowed him to keep fresh in the mind.

Despite a lifelong association with the ocean and competing at masters level for nearly three decades, Hennessey said he still respected the sea.

You have to.

"I've seen so many people get into trouble and I've always respected the surf, but more so now," he said.

"It doesn't matter how long you've been doing it, the surf can always get you."

Meanwhile, fellow Port Macquarie competitor Larry Brook (over-70 surf swim) claimed his first Australian title at the event.

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