Matt Bevilacqua
32
YEARS OLD
QLD
NORTHCLIFFE SLSC
3rd
2023/2024 SERIES
ski
STRENGTH
Stats
Bio
At just 16 years old, Matt Bevilacqua was at the time the youngest person to win the Tasmanian Open Ironman title – a race he would go on to win three years in a row. After completing school, Bevilaquca decided to follow his dream of becoming a professional Iron athlete, and chose to leave his home state of Tasmania to relocate to the Sunshine Coast. Two years after he achieved his dream and made history by becoming the first ever Tasmanian to qualify for the Iron Series. Bevilacqua was also the first ever Tasmanian to win the Coolangatta Gold, and is a five-time world champion in the grueling Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard World Championship.
Matt, how old were you when youstarted surf lifesaving and why?
I was 7 when I first started nippers. I had a massive love of anything in the ocean or at the beach. Despite the Tasmanian weather, you wouldn’t find me anywhere else.
Who was your hero growing up in and out of surf lifesaving?
I think it would have been Ky Hurst who was my biggest hero. I’m not sure if I got lost in his eyes or just his smooth skill in the big surf but he was just a superstar and so humble. Mick Fanning would have to have been my idol outside of surf for the way he handled the earlier part of his career while I was growing up was nothing short of incredible.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
Never given directly but Shannon Eckstein’s advice whenever he was asked was work on your weakness because no one does. So for the entirety of my career the leg I have easily work the hardest on his my swim.
Your advice for aspiring Shaw and Partners Iron Athletes?
That very same advice.
What do you think about during a race?
Nothing, apart from the decisions immediately in front of me.
Matt, what has been a high and low in your IronMan journey?
High: Biggest high bar none would definitely be the day I qualified for the Iron Series.
Low: Getting DQ’d from my 2nd trial attempt at Tugun when I was 20. I should have qualified and I didn’t.
Do you have any race day superstitions?
Not really. I take everything as it comes and just enjoy the day.
Do you have any secret talents?
Skilled and practiced spreader of vegemite on toast and untouchable at Monopoly Deal.