Sunrise sets. Watermelon breaks. A top-10 comeback at Aussies 2025. Our JAYD ambassador Emily grew up glued to the Ironwoman series and now chases that same fearless energy, especially on the run leg. With her sights set on rejoining the Iron Series, she’s all about confidence, community and colour. Read on for her Q&A.
Q1. What's your go-to beach snack after a long day in the sun?
My go-to is freshly cut fruit (watermelon, of course) or a Frosty Fruits icy pole, they are so delish!
Q2. If you could only pick one: sunrise training or sunset training?
Sunrise! I love training before/during the sunrise. Being on the water as it comes up is beautiful, we’re spoiled with amazing sunrises on the Gold Coast.
Q3. What’s always in your beach bag (besides swimmers and sunscreen)?
Plenty of snacks, a good book, and my sunnies.
Q4. Favourite way to switch off when you’re not training or competing?
Reading at the beach or by the pool, napping, heading to RMC for a recovery session, and weekend camping trips with my partner and friends when we’re not in comp season.
Q5. Who would you say has been your biggest cheerleader outside of sport?
My family. They’ve watched me grow from a little U11 who was scared of the surf to a professional Ironwoman living out my childhood dreams on the Gold Coast.
Q6. What drew you into surf lifesaving and the Ironwoman series in the first place?
I watched the Ironwoman series every weekend as a little girl. I loved the athletes’ fearlessness facing the surf and wanted to be just like them. Seeing them race at the top level made me so excited, I couldn’t wait for my turn.
Q2. If you could only pick one: sunrise training or sunset training?
Sunrise! I love training before/during the sunrise. Being on the water as it comes up is beautiful, we’re spoiled with amazing sunrises on the Gold Coast.
Q3. What’s always in your beach bag (besides swimmers and sunscreen)?
Plenty of snacks, a good book, and my sunnies.
Q4. Favourite way to switch off when you’re not training or competing?
Reading at the beach or by the pool, napping, heading to RMC for a recovery session, and weekend camping trips with my partner and friends when we’re not in comp season.
Q5. Who would you say has been your biggest cheerleader outside of sport?
My family. They’ve watched me grow from a little U11 who was scared of the surf to a professional Ironwoman living out my childhood dreams on the Gold Coast.
Q6. What drew you into surf lifesaving and the Ironwoman series in the first place?
I watched the Ironwoman series every weekend as a little girl. I loved the athletes’ fearlessness facing the surf and wanted to be just like them. Seeing them race at the top level made me so excited, I couldn’t wait for my turn.
Q7. Of all the disciplines (swim, board, ski or run), which do you secretly love most?
I enjoy them all now, but I secretly really love running. I like pushing myself on the grass track each week and seeing it translate to the sand. Running is huge in our sport, especially with all the soft-sand transitions we need to do.
I enjoy them all now, but I secretly really love running. I like pushing myself on the grass track each week and seeing it translate to the sand. Running is huge in our sport, especially with all the soft-sand transitions we need to do.
Q8. What’s been your proudest or most memorable race moment so far?
The Iron final at Aussies 2025. I was on a comeback after shoulder surgery in 2024, and after a rocky start to the season it felt amazing to finish with a top-10 result. Especially after relearning how to swim and paddle in the surf.
The Iron final at Aussies 2025. I was on a comeback after shoulder surgery in 2024, and after a rocky start to the season it felt amazing to finish with a top-10 result. Especially after relearning how to swim and paddle in the surf.
Q9. Do you have any quirky pre-race rituals or things you have to do before you hit the start line?
I’m not superstitious. As long as I’ve had a good warm-up and all my race gear is sorted, I’m ready to go.
I’m not superstitious. As long as I’ve had a good warm-up and all my race gear is sorted, I’m ready to go.
Q10. What’s one big goal you’re chasing this season that fires you up?
I’ve got a few goals I’m keeping to myself, but getting back into the Iron Series is first on the list.
Q11. What does being a JAYD ambassador mean for you?
Being a JAYD Ambassador means being part of a brand that inspires women and girls to feel confident and comfortable in their skin. JAYD has so many designs and colour ways, there’s something for everyone. They go above and beyond to make us feel like family; we see behind the scenes, help with designs, and even join photoshoots, which have been so fun! I’m proud to represent JAYD. ❤️
Q12. Can you share a funny or unexpected moment from your Ironwoman career so far?
Plenty of funny moments, but an unexpected one was nearly slicing my toe four days before Aussies... I kicked a stick in our last Iron session. The first doctor told me not to race, but I did and ended up with my best Open Ironwoman result at Aussies!
I’ve got a few goals I’m keeping to myself, but getting back into the Iron Series is first on the list.
Q11. What does being a JAYD ambassador mean for you?
Being a JAYD Ambassador means being part of a brand that inspires women and girls to feel confident and comfortable in their skin. JAYD has so many designs and colour ways, there’s something for everyone. They go above and beyond to make us feel like family; we see behind the scenes, help with designs, and even join photoshoots, which have been so fun! I’m proud to represent JAYD. ❤️
Q12. Can you share a funny or unexpected moment from your Ironwoman career so far?
Plenty of funny moments, but an unexpected one was nearly slicing my toe four days before Aussies... I kicked a stick in our last Iron session. The first doctor told me not to race, but I did and ended up with my best Open Ironwoman result at Aussies!
