After years of racing him in the surf and sand of Australia's beaches, former rivals of ironman champion Dean Mercer are set to gather on the Gold Coast to remember the 47-year-old father of four.
Former world ironman champion Phil Clayton has organised an informal memorial at Kurrawa Sports Club to honour Mercer, who died on Monday after suffering a heart attack.
It's expected approximately 200 people will attend the memorial including several of the men Mercer raced against during his long surf lifesaving career.
"The response has been phenomenal," Mr Clayton told AAP.
"It's been amazing since his passing how many have reached out; just shows what a great guy he was."
Mr Clayton said guests from as far as Yamba in NSW had indicated they would attend the memorial.
A similar gathering is also planned at Towradgi Surf Club in NSW for Wollongong-born Mercer.
Arrangements for Mercer's funeral continue with an appropriate venue to be located to facilitate an expected gathering of approximately 2000 mourners.
A fundraising campaign for Mercer's wife, former ironwoman Reen Corbett, and their four sons has so far raised over $19,000 since it was established on Monday.
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