Chelsea Wood
19
YEARS OLD
QLD
BURLEIGH HEADS MOWBRAY PARK
N/A
2024/2025 SERIES
board
STRENGTH
Bio
Gold Coast local Chelsea Wood local makes her Shaw and Partners Iron Series debute in 2025/26. Also a handy Aussie Rules player, Wood started to see results in Iron racing as a first year Mal competitor (U14s) when she started swim training. Flash forward to the 2025/26 season, and Wood has entered the Shaw and Partners Iron Series after only her second attempt at the Trial, presented by Race One Surf Craft. When not competing and training, Wood is studying Civil Engineering and works as a Lifeguard.
Chelsea, how old were you when you started surf lifesaving and why?
I was 7 years old when I started nippers because my older sister started with a few of her friends and we were always down at Burleigh in the arvos and weekends.
Who was your hero growing up in and out of surf lifesaving?
I really looked up to Jordan Mercer as a younger nipper because she was a craft-based athlete with board and ski being her strongest legs, something I’ve always related to since my swimming is pretty average. Watching her do so well in the Molakai paddles was also pretty cool.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
Focus on the good, and the good gets better. A positive mindset is everything in this sport.
Your advice for aspiring Shaw and Partners Iron Athletes?
Don’t take training and racing so seriously, results aren’t the be all and end all especially when we do grown up nippers hahaha. Keep it light, keep it fun and enjoy the journey because that’s when you will perform your best.
Do you have any race day superstitions?
I tend not to wear ribbons in my hair since every AFL grand final that I played in with ribbons in my hair, we lost.
Chelsea, what has been a high and low in your IronWoman journey?
High: Making the professional Shaw and Partners Iron Series
Low: Getting Glandular Fever in U17s and not being able to race for 6 months of the season.
What do you think about during a race?
It doesn’t matter how much I’m hurting now because in 10 minutes I won’t be.
Do you have a secret talent?
I can kick a footy straight.