Tom Atkinson

Details

Category: Surf Life Saving

How did you become involved in your sport?

As a kid when i was running around the beach up at Forster.

Who is your sporting hero?

Ben Cousins

Age you started in your sport?

5

Height, weight, age?

188cm, 88kgs, 26

Accreditations/degrees/qualifications?

bachelor business, cpa, level 1 coaching certificate

What motivates you to continue in your sport?

success, failure and to reach new levels which i haven't achieved.

What motivated you to start your sport?

surf safety, fun.

What is your current business/job?

professional accountant / part time ironman

Who do you race for?

Queenscliff surf club.

People that have inspired you both in sport and life?

family and friends

Great experiences that have happened in your life?

2nd at the nationals in a team with my two brothers, 2010 Nutri Grain Ironman Series

Your interests and hobbies?

surfing, spear fishing

One tip or quote that continues to inspire you?

only those who risk going too far can possibly find how far one can go.

Family Background(where did you grow up) and Current Family

grew up in Forster with the family, mum, dad, two brothers and a sister.

What is your happiest memory?

2 many to single one out. last years series was pretty good

Who did you idolize growing up?

paul kelly

Were you always one of the better athletes growing up?

at school i was ok for around Forster but when i would race in sydney or other places i would get belted...

What is one thing you would share with the children wanting to follow in your footsteps?

if you want to get somewhere in sport write your goals out, get a plan and stick to it!

How has being involved/playing your sport changed your life?

gives me something outside of the office to live for. has definitely made me very tired through the day!

Who has been your biggest supporter?

mum

Who has been your best coach?

dad and cuz...

Sporting Background and list of results/achievements?

13th in the 2010/2011 nutri grain ironman series. best result was a 7th at portsea.5 x NSW representative. Sydney Northern Beaches team captain. 2nd National board relay title

Favourite Foods/Diet you follow?

Pizza, but i do have a good diet now. Had plenty of people helping over the past 2 years trying to improve it.

Your typical training split and favourite thing to train?

swim 5am to 7am.board / ski and run afternoons 4.30pm to 7pm.Favorite session, catching waves on the board.

Worst injury you have suffered?

plenty of injuries but no major ones relating to racing besides having a red bull at state a few years back and passed out in a race... think i was going to fast and my heart had a few problems keeping up.

What is the ultimate prize in your sport?

Nutri Grain Ironman Series winner, National ironman title

What do you find to be the toughest aspect of your sport?

getting out of a warm bed every morning in the middle of winter at 4.30am to just in the water...

What is your favourite movie?

pink panther 1

What one lesson did you take from your parents?

always have a go.

How do you deal with temptation?

well if its to do with eating, i don't deal with it very well.... anything else i usually think of my goals and how it will impact it.

What is your favourite music/band/song?

eminem - going to see them in December

What is your biggest fear?

failing

Do you believe "never giving up" is the difference between making it and not making it in any sport?

yes, kind of. you also need to want to make it as well. without personal desire to achieve it is very hard.

Have you ever failed at anything? If yes how did you overcome this?

yes, failed one cpa exam. just needed to study more. was pretty devastated though.

What inspired you to succeed?

previous failures, friends and their help over the year

What did you want to be as a kid growing up?

afl player... didn't have much chance growing up in forster. no one know what the game even was.

Your future goals in your sports, and goals when you finish your sport?

top ten finish in the nutri grain. once i finish competing it will be back to the office accounting....

What is your worst fear?

don't know

If you could have dinner with 5 people who would they be?

ben cousins, kelly slater, bear grylls, adam goodes, megan fox

What is one item you cannot live without?

the beach

People you would like to thank?

sponsors, Stanford Brown financial planners, JBL Spearguns, View goggles, Complete Supplements Australia, Dolphin Surf Craft

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