Ky Hurst – a different Ironman
Ky Hurst beat out Grant Hackett to get the Australian 2008 Olympic 10k open water swim spot. When he is not competing in open water swimming races, he is racing Ironmans, but not the M dot variety. The Ironman sport Ky takes part in, is surf lifesaving and consists of surf ski paddling, running, swimming, running, boarding and running.
ST: Ky, where are you currently and what are you doing?
Ky: I'm back living on the Gold Coast after a 3-month break traveling Europe after the Games. I had been living in Sydney for 2 years and moved down to train with Tracey Menzies who was Ian Thorpe's old coach, but decided to move back to the Gold Coast to be with family and friends. I'm currently back in the surf and training to get back into Ironman competition preparing myself for the up and coming surf season.
ST: You surprised many people when you grabbed that Australian spot for the Olympic 10k swim by beating out Grant Hackett. Were you surprised?
KY: Not at all, I knew Grant is a great swimmer but at the same time I also knew he was very inexperienced with open water swimming. The World Championships in Spain was only his first international race and for me I had done a series of World Cup races leading into those Olympics and had been swimming open water races on and off since 1998.
ST: Talk to us about your 2008 season.
Ky: For the last 2 years it's been all about my focus on swimming in particular open-water swimming. It started with our Australian selection trials in early December 2007 where I came 2nd to Grant to make the Worlds Championship team for Australia. Then leading into the world championships in April 2008 in Spain where all of my hard training had to pay off to qualify for the Olympics. Luckily it did placing 5th and securing my spot on the Olympic team.
ST: What is next?
Ky: My attention has turned back to Surf Ironman racing and I'm still keeping in mind the World Championships in Rome for Open Water. I'm currently in phase one of my training cycle as I've had the last 3 months off, and for me at this stage it's all about rebuilding and trying to get back into a routine and continue on building my fitness. With the plan of a come back in the next 3 months in Ironman racing I've cut my swimming back to concentrate more on my craft work, e.g. board and ski paddling.
ST: Tell us about your athletic background?
Ky: I started surfing when I was 2 years old. I've been fortunate enough to have my whole family involved with sport. So for me, I have been very active from a very young age. I first turned professional when I was 15 years old on the Ironman circuit in the Uncle Toby's Super Series.
ST: Of all the race results in your career, which one are you most proud of and why?
Ky: Probably my race at the World Championships in Spain 2008 for the 10km. All focus had been on Grant to qualify and it was finally nice to finish in front of him and represent Australia at those coming Olympics.
ST: What do you think about the recent technological development in swimming? Is it a good thing?
Ky: I believe it's the evolution of sport whether it is motor racing, cycling, or swimming. I think the technology is forever developing and we as athletes have to adapt and move with those times.
ST: Will we see you focus more on swimming or eventually a move back to surf Ironman?
Ky: For the next 2 years my focus will be on a come back in the surf given that I pick up my craftwork and get back to the level I was at 6 years ago. Then for 2010 I will re-evaluate my goals for the future as far as swimming or surf goes.
ST: You are already swimming and running a bunch, have you ever considered getting serious about triathlon?
Ky: Yeah it would be an interesting avenue to pursue but at this stage in my career it's something I wont start thinking about until after my Ironman career is finished. But in saying that definitely in the future, it is something I'd want to have a go at.
ST: Please describe a typical hard training week for us.
Ky: My training consists of about 26 hours a week. This is built up at the moment by 4 separate disciplines. Kayaking, board paddling, swimming and running. For example one Ironman session is made up of all 4 disciplines broken into 3 x 15 minute races with 2 minutes rest in between each at around 90%.
ST: What do you do to overcome a disappointing race?
Ky: Usually when I get back home I'll pick up my surfboard and head out for a few waves to clear my head or I'll jump on my dirt bike and go riding all day.
ST: What other sports do you participate in?
Ky: Moto-cross, surfing, wake boarding, snow boarding and a bit of ping pong.
ST: How are things going for you in terms of sponsorship?
Ky: When I was a professional Ironman, life couldn't be better. When I made the transition from Surf to open water I lost the majority of my main sponsors. At the moment, Panasonic and Rival are my only major sponsors.
ST: What does your off-season look like?
Ky: Apart from this last massive break I had off the Olympics, I've never really had more than 2 or 3 weeks off. I usually use the winter for my base training to prepare me for the summer ahead.
ST: Do you follow any other sports?
Ky: I mainly follow the surfing circuit, as Kelly Slater is one of my all time favorite athletes.
ST: Can you share with us some of your food likes and dislikes?
Ky: My favorite meal would have to be my girlfriend's lasagna. I try and get her to make it at least twice a week. Least favorite would be my mum's pumpkin pie. It is called the pooh pie in the Hurst household.
ST: What is your music taste like?
Ky: I like everything from Kings of Leon through to Jack Johnson and even a bit of R&B like Lloyd Banks. It really depends on the mood I'm in on that particular day, but usually I like listening to something a little bit heavier prior to a race.
ST: What was the last book you read?
Ky: Last book I read was my economics text for Uni.
ST: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Ky: I see myself doing the same thing as I am now, given that my body holds up. At the same time, hopefully looking after my kids.
ST: Is there anything else we should know about you?
Ky: I am an ambassador for Australian Museum looking after coastal and marine awareness, which is a great opportunity because I really believe we need to start sustaining Australia's amazing coastlines. For the future I'm interested in following a career in television if it came up, and also have a keen eye on the market in property sustainability and development.
