Carla Papac
26
YEARS OLD
QLD
BURLEIGH HEADS MOWBRAY PARK SLSC
N/A
2023/2024 SERIES
ski
STRENGTH
Bio
2022 Coolangatta Gold champion, Carla Papac’s love of the ocean began as a nipper in the U6’s in Cronulla. Exercise and sport have always been a huge part of her life, combining her passions with her career as an exercise physiologist, balancing her passions of improving people’s wellbeing with exercise whilst also training three times a day to be the best Ironwoman she can be. After travelling around Australia searching for the best coaches and environment to achieve her goals, this season Papac made the move to Burleigh to train under Michael King, be surrounded by more of her support crew and enjoy the Gold Coast lifestyle.
Carla, how old were you when youstarted surf lifesaving and why?
I was 6 years old and my mum put me into nippers at Cronulla SLSC to ensure I was confident and could swim in the surf.
Who was your hero in surf lifesaving when you were growing up?
Trevor Hendy and Courtz Hancock had careers that I will always look up to and have had the pleasure of spending time and learning from them. I also loved watching Karlee Nurthen compete with her braids and confident personality. I love her overall vibe still to this day.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
“Work hard, cultivate the right environment around you and then trust your ability,” from a combination of all my coaches.
Your advice for aspiring Shaw and Partners Athletes?
Get ready to do the work, it’s going to hurt but when you achieve your goals it’s so rewarding and makes all the pain worth it. Put yourself in an environment that makes you excited to show up and train everyday so that when it’s extra tough, you’ve got good people around you.
What do you think about during a race?
Staying calm and finding the right time to make a move.
Carla, what has been a high and low in your IronWoman journey?
High: Winning the Coolangatta Gold in 2022!
Low: Was a series of health issues and bad results after this huge high, affecting my confidence and attitude towards the sport.
Do you have any secret talents?
I run a mean Pilates session.
Do you have any race day superstitions?
I have a pretty extensive race warm up, mobility, bands and running warm up.