FROM PEAK TO SLUMP

QYou won four straight Australian ironman titles between 1999 and 2002. Do you feel like you were a part of the peak popularity of surf lifesaving?

It was very special because in my mind, the ironmen and ironwomen of today are exceptional role models. They should be put out there. They’re exceptionally fit, they speak well, they all look good as well.

To come through the peak of it from Uncle Toby’s into the rollover into the Nutri-Grain and those early years, I was really lucky to experience that and get a sense of how big our sport could actually be. It stemmed from there.

I have no regrets. I love ironman racing and it’s one of those things where I’ve moved on from there and I’m now sailing. If I was to run around the beach, I don’t think I’d be able to cut it with those guys because they’re super quick and I’m not anymore.

Q

Do you ever think the sport will get back to those days?

A

I really hope so. It’s really hard to see these guys running around when, like I said before, they’re so fit, they present well. They’re such great role models from the younger generations coming through and surf life saving is such a big body as well.

We’ve got thousands of kids and Nippers that want to aspire to be the next Poole or Bevilacqua of ironman racing. It should be back on primetime TV.

It’s a great sport to watch. Something needs to restart the heart of it. Maybe it’s in a bit of a slump at the moment but I hope it’ll pick back up again in the future.