Motivational Monday // Lizzie Welborn

Lizzie Welborn is an 18-year-old Surf IronWoman from Sydney. She recently finished her final year of school and loves being at the beach and being in the ocean. This year, Lizzie is taking a year to train and travel, including the Molokai to Oahu race in July. 

What is your favorite water workout?

I love doing skills sessions in and out of the surf. They are the best because we get to have so much fun as well as practicing our skills. And in big surf it can actually be really hard sometimes 😏

What is the Molokai to Oahu race?

The Molokai to Oahu race is referred to as the paddle board world championships. It is a race between the two islands in Hawaii; Molokai and Oahu. There are heaps of divisions such as SUP and stock paddling, I am doing the unlimited division. The deep open ocean of the Ka’iwi channel and also the dangerous currents and swells that run through it make it a treacherous crossing and why it is such an amazing event. 

What inspired you to do it?

I was very young when I first got inspired to do it, I think I was 15. I had just finished watching Wes Bergs documentary One Touch and Jamie Mitches documentary Decade of Dominance about the paddle and I was hooked. It has forever been at the top of my bucket list but because of school I never really had the time to do it. But this year is the first year I have been able to do it and I am as keen as ever. 

How is training different leading up to the race than others you’ve done?

It is very different to other races I’ve done. Usually we train for at max a 45 minute race and this one can take up to 6 hours! And you don’t need as much speed for this race just more endurance. So I will be doing a lot longer training sessions trying to get my body ready for working for such a long time. 

What are you most excited about competing in this race?

I am honestly just excited to do it. Because it has been something I’ve wanted to do for such a long time so the whole journey of getting there will be very exciting for me. 

What's your favourite beach you've been to?

I have been to the Maldives once and the pizzas there were absolutely amazing. I would go back there any day.

What are three things on your bucket list?

I would love to see the Northern Lights and swim with whale sharks. But I also want to do something really influential to stop beaches from being so polluted by plastic. 

What activities do you do in JOLYN?

About everything, I'm always in my togs :)

What's the most inspiring race you've ever seen?

The most inspirational race I have ever heard of is not really a race, but it is the story of when Bethany Hamilton came back from losing her arm in a shark attack to still being one of the best surfers in the world. I watched soul surfer when I was a little kid and it will forever be one of my favourite stories. 

What is your favourite workout or gym exercise?

At my gym we have to do this exercise where we jump between bosu balls and it is so fun!

What would you spend your last $10 on?

Definitely fantales, they are my favourite chocolate ever!