EP 386: Surf Life Saving & Ironman Racing: Injuries, Training & Recovery (Part 1)

In episode 386 of The Physical Performance Show, host Tim Studley sits down with fellow Pogo Physio physiotherapist Lewis Craig to explore the world of surf life saving and Ironman racing — a sport many listeners may be unfamiliar with, but one that shares a huge amount in common with traditional triathlon and endurance sport.

Tim and Lewis unpack what a typical training week looks like for a semi-professional surf ironman/ironwoman athlete, the most common injuries seen across swimming, ski paddling, board paddling and soft sand running, the disproportionate impact running-based injuries can have on an athlete's ability to race, and why energy availability, sleep and recovery are just as critical in this sport as they are in any other high-volume endurance discipline.

SHOW SPONSORS:

💯 Today's episode is brought to you by Pillar Performance and Pogo Physio's telehealth consultations. If you are an endurance runner battling with bone, tendon, joint related concerns, our online Telehealth consultations are an ideal platform to help get you back to your physical best - book online at https://pogophysio.com.au.

💯 PILLAR Performance is leading a new frontier in sports nutrition through micronutrition innovation. Their new Collagen Repair formula, developed in collaboration with Gelita Laboratories, is designed to support tendon and ligament health while promoting collagen synthesis to help athletes stay healthy and perform at their best.

For 15% off your first order, visit https://pillarperformance.shop (or https://thefeed.com for North American listeners) and use the discount code PHYSICALPERFORMANCE (one word, capitals) at checkout.

In this episode, you'll hear:

An introduction to surf life saving and Ironman racing: swimming, ski paddling, board paddling and soft sand running combined into one demanding sport

The semi-professional nature of the sport, and how prize money from series like the Shaw and Partners Ironman Series and World Ocean Series has helped athletes

A snapshot of a typical training day and week: double training sessions, four swim sessions, two to three ski paddling and board sessions, two gym sessions, two standalone runs, and Irons sessions combining all disciplines

Typical weekly training hours for competitive athletes — estimated in the range of 15 to 20+ hours per week

Similarities to other endurance sports: shared challenges around shoulder health, running-related injuries, and managing training load, intensity and recovery