Lizzie Welborn
26
YEARS OLD
NSW
NEWPORT SLSC
3rd
2024/2025 SERIES
board
STRENGTH
Bio
Lizzie Welborn is a 26 year old professional Surf Ironwoman from Sydney, Australia. Lizzie qualified for her first professional series when she was just 16, making her one of the youngest competitors to ever qualify. Welborn has now competed in ten professional surf sports series, placing in the top three multiple times in the Shaw and Partners Iron Series and the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series. Alongside Elite Iron racing, Welborn has also represented Australia on multiple occasions. Welborn’s eyes are still set on claiming a Shaw and Partners Iron Series title, as well as winning an open Australian ironwoman and board title. In 2022, Welborn and now retired Ironwoman Harriet Brown co-founded KaMana Community, a program designed to educate and empower female athletes so they can reach their potential in sport and life.
Lizzie, how old were you when you started surf lifesaving and why?
10, because my parents made me do it. I was not very sporty at all but once I started doing Nippers, I fell in love with the sport.
Who was your hero in surf lifesaving when you were growing up?
I loved Liz Plumbers because she was so dominant, the same as Ky Hurst. They also both had yellow craft and that is partly why I do as well. I also loved Courtz and Harriet!
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
There is so many, I’m so lucky to have so many great mentors.
Your advice for aspiring Shaw and Partners Iron Series athletes?
Anything is possible. If this is your dream, go for it!
What is your favourite beach to compete at?
Manly!!!
Lizzie, what has been a high and low in your surf sports journey?
High: Reaching a milestone of competing professionally for a decade.
Low: I don’t like to think of these as “lows,” but learning opportunities.
What is your favourite movie?
Avatar.
What do you think about during a race?
I’m really good at making a mess.