Piper Harrison

Sport/specialty/profession

Professional Surf Ironwoman

Socials

Introducing Piper…

Embarking on her Surf Life Saving journey from the picturesque shores of Manly, NSW, at the tender age of five, Piper Harrison, now 21, epitomises the fusion of passion and perseverance in the realm of professional sport. Piper's journey to becoming a Nutri-Grain Ironwoman is a story of passion, dedication, and triumph over adversity. Her relentless training and competitive spirit have not only led her to achieve her childhood dream but also to balance a demanding university schedule in Law and Communications. Piper's story is not just about athletic prowess; it's a beacon of inspiration, showcasing what relentless commitment can achieve. We are excited to watch her continue to soar in her future endeavours in the surf and beyond!

Personal Journey and Motivation
How did you get started in surf lifesaving, and what motivated you to pursue it professionally?

I started Surf Life Saving when I was 5 years old when my parents signed me up for nippers. I absolutely loved spending so much time at the beach and made friends that are still my best friends today. As I got older also fell in love with the competitive side of the sport and loved travelling around to all different beaches to race. When I was about 10, I watched my first iron series race and knew that one day I wanted to be a Nutri-Grain Ironwoman. From that moment on the dream of being a professional ironwoman motivated me every day.

Training Insights
What does a typical training day look like for you?
How do you mentally prepare for competitions?

I typically train about 2-3 times a day. My day starts at 5am with a 2-hour swim session in the pool. Most days I have a gym session or a run session to complete during the day. In the afternoons I typically have a 1–2-hour session at the beach, which will either be a board, ski, or iron session. All up I do roughly 21 hours of training per week.

I love travelling up and down the coast with my teammates racing. When racing is fun its easy to stay motivated. But having clear goals in mind for each competition and listening to music gives me that extra motivation when needed.

Overcoming Challenges
What's been your biggest challenge in surf lifesaving, and how did you overcome it?
Can you share a memorable achievement from your career?

I have never been the most naturally talented ironwoman. My swim leg in an iron has always been a weakness and is something I have spent years and years trying to improve. But I knew that if I wanted to be a professional ironwoman I would have to get better. I pride myself on being a hard worker and will always show up to training no matter how tired I am, ready to give 100%. Gradually the hard work started paying off and I started to improve. At the age of 21 I achieved my childhood dream of becoming a Nutri-Grain Ironwoman, 11 years after the dream was born. This is the most memorable achievement in my career because it showed me that I was capable of anything I put my mind to.

Future Goals
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
Where do you see your career heading in the next few years?

My main goal for the season was to qualify for the Nutri-Grain series, which I am so grateful to have achieved. But for the remainder of the season, my goal is to make the Australian ironwoman final and medal with my teammates.

In future seasons, I just want to keep getting better and better. In the next few years, I would like to see myself as a regular in the Nutri-Grain series and on the podium.

Personal Interests
Aside from surf lifesaving, what are your hobbies?
Can you share something about yourself that might surprise people?

Surf Life Saving takes up A LOT of my time, between training and travelling most weekends throughout summer for competitions. But when I have some down time, I love getting coffee and going on walks with my friends. I am also a full-time uni student studying a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism). Something else people might not know about me is I am a Pescatarian and love eating plant-based foods, which is why I love the new and improved PranaOn power plant protein!