Inspiring on every level

No.30: Ironwoman gold for lifesaving movement

FOR years, Courtney Hancock has been the high-profile ironwoman inspiring the next generation to head down to their local surf club.

It’s a status the Northcliffe ace is proud to possess; after all, she can relate to up-andcoming girls looking up to her in the same way she did – and still does – to Karla Gilbert.

“There’s nothing that makes me happier than spend- ing time with those kids and young girls and people who look up to you and respect you,” Hancock said.

“There’s nothing better than coming across the finish line and whatever you may get, having that support from those beautiful young kids or just anyone because they kind of see something in you.

“You have to be yourself and that’s where people, I think, look up to you the most.

“When I came into the sport myself, I didn’t change anything and I’m still like that today. I’ve got my beliefs and talking about the sport, I work hard. I really work hard.”

The Gold Coast can lay claim to being at the heart of surf life saving, making Hancock’s presence even grander.

“That’s why I packed my bags and my car up as soon as I finished school and I came this way,” Hancock said of the Gold Coast’s standing in the sport, having grown up on the NSW North Coast.

“There definitely has to be a reason why all the competitions keep coming back and everyone holidays here.”

Having made her professional career debut in 2006, her determination has not wavered with further Nutri-Grain Series and The Aussies crowns still in her sights.

“Mentally I feel fresh and happy as ever doing what I am doing and I’ll be a bit more excited when the surf picks up on the Coast,” she said.

“My dream when I was younger was that if I can go to the beach as my office and make that as my career that I would just be so happy in life.

“I’m still doing that today.”