What It Takes
As you would imagine, there is a whole lot of time, effort and preparation that goes into maintaining the required standards in the water at an elite level.
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Below gives you an idea re the makeup of my typical week.
Pool Training
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I train in the pool 6 days a week, Monday to Saturday. These training days start at 4:20am with a pre-training bowl of cereal and a cup of coffee, then commence around 5:30pm.
Most days consist of 2 in water sessions that can be 1.5 to 2 hours long, with each training session having a different focus i.e. speed development, endurance work or high intensity threshold training to put my body under race pressure. Wednesday's and Saturday's are the 2 days a week where I only have 1 training session.
In total from Monday to Saturday I complete a total of 10 in water training sessions!
Gym Work
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Along with in water training sessions I also complete 3 gym sessions. Training in the gym helps complement the work I do in the pool, but also helps with injury prevention and ensures my body is in tune with it self.
The sessions I do in the gym range from 1 on 1 personal training to full body lifting, strength-endurance, cardio and spin bike sessions.
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Fuelling The Engine
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As you'd expect, fuelling my engine and having a balanced nutritious diet is key - pre training, during training and post training. My diet compromises of lots of fruit, vegetables, meat and pasta, most meals covering a majority of the major food groups.
When competing in a 10km open water race I have to ensure I keep myself hydrated and fuelled enough to keep my energy levels high and try to prevent as much fatigue as possible. During a race we have the opportunity to feed at a feeding station, this is where I take a quick drink of electrolytes, energy gels and other fluids.​
Surf Lifesaving
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I became a member of Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club, located in Dunedin during 2021. Being part of this club is a great way for me to be involved in another water sport, but more importantly be part of a local community and support others who enjoy time in and around the ocean. During the season I compete for the club in both local, regional and Southern events, I am an active member of patrol teams and I always offer a helping hand with coaching and mentoring the junior club members.
Being part of this community has given me the avenue to be exposed to different opportunities that allow me to combine my interests of being in and around water, to helping people and making a difference amongst the community.
Since becoming a member I have gained a variety of different qualifications, these include becoming a Surf Lifeguard Instructor to being able to drive an IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat).
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Down Time (Me Time)
I'm never far from the water! When I'm not training or competing, you'll still find me near water as I work as a lifeguard and supervisor at Moana Pool and Saint Clair Salt Water Pool.
However, when away from that environment I love to spend time with family, friends, camping, exploring the outdoors, doing a bit of amateur photography of wildlife and scenery, just chilling out enjoying my own company or watching great shows & movies.
