This season marks my 11th year as a professional surf ironwoman, and I cannot believe it has been this long. I became a professional ironwoman at just 16 years old, and now i’m 27. Part of me is still grappling with the fact I’m now one of the oldest women in the field (some might even say a veteran, wth!). Yet the other part of me feels so privileged to have spent all this time living out my dream. Through my time being an athlete, I’ve gone from a teenager to an adult, and there have been many, many eras in between. Saying I’ve learnt a lot would be a massive understatement. So, I thought I’d pick out 11 things I’ve learnt (some serious, some fun) on this journey:
1. The one-piece tan line never goes away.
Anyone involved in swimming, surf lifesaving or any sport where you’re in a swimsuit all summer knows the one-piece tan line that comes with it. Between sessions, I used to try so hard to even out the tan line on my stomach, which was a completely different colour to the rest of my body. I’ve now come to embrace that it’s impossible to avoid. If anyone ever finds a solution that doesn’t involve wearing a bikini all summer - lmk.
2. You don’t have to be killing it at 12 to be successful.
I started surf lifesaving when I was 11 and was at the back until I was 15. There is no limit to your potential, especially when you’re young. If you haven’t found your feet in sport yet, don’t give up. Train hard and you will keep improving, I promise.
3. The friendships made in sport are special.
A lot of my closest friendships are ones I’ve made with teammates and competitors. I believe there’s a special kind of bond that forms when you share a similar passion. Hold onto these friendships.
4. Bodies change - that’s okay.
One of the biggest things I struggled with was my body changing from being a girl to being a woman, all while wearing swimwear and racing on TV in front of big crowds. Your body will change as you get older, and that’s okay. It doesn’t change anything about who you are. I could say so much on this, if you want to find out more check out KaMana Community. What I will say is that your body will change as your get older. Your body is allowed to change, that is okay. It doesn't change anything about who you are.
5. Make sure you know the course.
Surf lifesaving races have a lot of buoys to navigate, and it can get confusing. Never be afraid to double-check the course. I was once winning a race with prize money of $20K I and lost the lead because I went around the wrong buoy. This sadly lives rent-free in my head.
6. People want to help, don’t be afraid to ask.
To succeed in anything, it’s important to learn from those around you. What I’ve found is most people are willing to help, all you have to do is ask.
7. Write things down.
I’ve kept a training diary most seasons I’ve raced. I’m a huge over thinker, when it comes to training and putting pen to paper helps me manage my thoughts. It also allows me to track progress over the season, which I find really helpful.
8. Rest days aren’t lazy.
It took me too long to realise this. Rest days are important and do not mean you are taking a short cut. Rest days allow your body to adapt to the stress of training, and ultimately make you a better athlete in the long run.
9. There is always something to learn.
Even after 11 years, I’m still learning how to be the best athlete I can be. Always be open minded to learning something new.
10. Say yes to new opportunities.
I’ve said yes to some incredible opportunities throughout my career a lot of them taking me all over the world and meeting some incredible people. Whilst this meant taking some time of training, these opportunities are some of my favourite memories from my career in sport.
11. Lucky last, memories matter most.
Yes, the achievements, the accolades and the medals are amazing, but at the end of the day - these are not the things I cherish most about sport. The memories I have with friends and team mates, travelling the world and meeting new people, are the things I have loved most about spending 11 years as a surf ironwoman.
-Lizzie Welborn xx
