Matt Poole
32
YEARS OLD
QLD
BMD NORTHCLIFFE SLSC
7th
2020/2021 SERIES
swim
STRENGTH
Bio
At 32 years of age, Matt Poole is the oldest competitor to take to the surf in the 2020/21 Nutri-Grain Series. But this seasoned IronMan veteran still has a thing or two to teach his younger competitors. Poole is entering his 14th year as a professional IronMan and is still finishing on top, having taken out first place in Round 2 of the 2019/20 Nutri-Grain Series and standing on the final podium in third overall. Poole has seven race wins next to his name, and was the 2016/2017 IronMan Champion.
Matt, how old were you when youstarted surf lifesaving and why?
5 years old at Dee Why SLSC. I loved being in the ocean.
Who was your hero growing up in surf lifesaving?
Nathan Smith. He’s a freak of an athlete and a great human!
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
Everything happens for a reason.
Your advice for aspiring Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain athletes?
Enjoy what you do.
What do you think about on the start line?
The waves out the back, watching what is happening in the ocean.
What do you think about during a race?
Course management and the competitors around me.
Matt, what has been a high and low in your IronMan journey?
High: Winning the Ironman series in 2016/2017.
Low: Leading the IronMan series last year half way through competition and having to get surgery two days before Round 4.
Do you have any race day superstitions?
I have a special music playlist that I play.