Skippy Swaps His Speedos
He’s just partnered with Surf Life Saving (SLS) and Nikon, to judge the Australian for Life Photo Moment competition, which encourages people to capture their quintessential Australian moment on camera.
The partnership between Surf Life Saving and Geoff is a natural fit. Both are passionate about water safety, enjoy Australia’s outdoor culture and represent an active and healthy lifestyle.
Geoff hit the beach as a kid growing up in Mackay, QLD, and was a nipper of the Sarina Surf Club until the age of 11. Although he then moved to Brisbane to focus on competitive swimming, he learned some valuable skills as a nipper which he’ll keep for life.
“Water safety is very important – spotting rips and giving yourself the skills to adapt to the environment. Most importantly, it’s learning the rights and wrongs of the beach’ says Geoff.
When he’s not winning gold at the Delhi Commonwealth Games, or busy training for the upcoming World Short Course in Dubai, Geoff embodies the spirit of this iconic Aussie competition. For him, it’s all about spending time at the beach and living a more active lifestyle.
And this is exactly what he’ll be looking for when he judges the Australian for Life Competition – a photo that captures your favourite Australian moment ‘enjoying life’ in our great outdoors. And it doesn’t have to be a sporting photo either!
“Ultimately it’s up to the individual how they express their style and individuality. Most importantly, the picture has to tell their story of why they’re an Australian for Life” says Geoff.
“Not everyone’s a swimmer, and not everyone can run around and kick a football, but one of the things we all enjoy in life is capturing those moments’.
Due to clashes with the swimming Nationals and iconic Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, Geoff had to ultimately pick pool swimming over SLS at an early age. However, he still regularly participates in ocean swimming events, such as the Bondi to Bronte last year, and has entered the Great Aussie Swim in Sydney on Australia Day.
‘I enjoy ocean swimming, I think it’s great.’
He also mixes up his training with a little running and regular spin classes as part of his normal training routine to keep him fit and healthy. Is this training in preparation for any major sporting event – the 2012 London Olympics perhaps? Skippy hasn’t made up his mind yet.
“With anything huge like the Olympics, you have to give yourself 18 months to prepare. Balancing time between working, training and a family life is what I’m focusing on. These are the tipping factors for me going onto London”.
How to Enter
The What is your Australian for Life Photo Moment competition closes on 19th December 2010, so it’s time to get snapping!
Click here for full competition details and to enter!
