Lyndon shocks rivals
A STRAY YouTube video resurrected Tanyn Lyndon’s career from the brink of retirement.
Last year, fresh off winning a Queensland ironman title, Lyndon, 28, was seriously weighing up whether to put his foot on the line for the 2019-20 Nutri-Grain series.
And now he finds himself in series contention after sitting out the Coolangatta Gold and finishing on the podium for the following three rounds.
“It is a bit of a surprise,” Lyndon said of his contender status. “A few months ago I was questioning whether I was going to do the series and I didn’t know whether I was going to keep going.
“I also had a few chats with some older guys like Zane Holmes and Wes Berg and Wes said that retirement is forever and it’s so hard to make a comeback once you’re out of it.
“I’ve always had a passion for surf life saving and I had the opportunity to pursue surfing for a bit when I was younger but I couldn’t let go of surf life saving.
“I was sitting at home randomly when this old Uncle Toby’s series video popped up on YouTube and I watched that and it reminded me why I love what I do.”
In addition to YouTube deep dives, several other distractions like work and his impending wedding have all headlined Lyndon’s laid-back approach to racing.
“For me this year, I’ve been focused on letting whatever happens happen,” he said.
“I’ve been saying to myself, win, lose or draw, I’ve got to go back to work on Monday so it doesn’t really matter what happens.
“I’ve just been focused on enjoying it and putting a bit of time into other passions.
“I’ve been looking towards the future and maybe starting my own business or building my own house and my wedding is coming up in May as well so there have been other things on my mind.”
While the Kurrawa clubbie sits second in the standings, a win or a second-place finish will secure him the title – but just don’t tell Lyndon that.
“I was talking to Allie (partner Allie Britton) the other day and she asked me if I knew what I had to do and I said no I’ve got no idea,” he said.
“I’m stoked with the season I’ve had and if it finished today I’d be so happy but whatever happens in Sydney happens.”