Lily O'Sullivan
20
YEARS OLD
QLD
BURLEIGH HEADS/MOWBRAY PARK SLSC
19th
2023/2024 SERIES
swim
STRENGTH
Stats
Bio
Lily O’Sullivan hails from the small town of Casuarina on the NSW North Coast. Moving from Tugun SLSC, to Cudgen Headland, and finally to Burleigh Heads/Mowbray Park, O’Sullivan has qualified for multiple Iron Series, including the 2024/25 Shaw and Partners Iron Series, where she’ll be looking to add to the impressive list of accolades she already has to her name. O’Sullivan was a standout star of the Australian Youth Life Saving Team during the 2022 World Lifesaving Championships in Riccione, Italy, notching up an incredible seven gold medals for seven race starts in the beach events. Her excellent form continued at the 2024 World Champs, claiming 1st place in both the Female Swim and Female Board. When not competing and training, O’Sullivan works as a teachers aid as well as a Gold Coast City council lifeguard.
Lily, how old were you when you started surf lifesaving and why?
5 years old. I started because my mum and dad did it as kids and they knew I was a competitive and energetic person, so they put me into Nippers to give me something fun to do on the weekends.
Who was your hero growing up in and out of surf lifesaving?
Courtney Hancock, she comes from a small NSW town like me and I think her sacrifices and dedication to the sport is super inspiring.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
Michael King – “Consistency is the key to success”
Your advice for aspiring Shaw and Partners Athletes?
Keep working hard and never give up, things don’t just fall in your lap you have to put the effort in to reach your goals.
What do you think about on the startline?
I go through the order of my Iron in my head so I don’t accidentally forget. I also think about how I’m going to attack the first part of the race.
Lily, what has been a high in your IronWoman journey?
High – Winning races in the Opens.
Low – I was injured last season.
Do you have any race day superstitions?
Getting my nails done before every race!
Do you have a secret talent?
I can walk a long distance on my hands.