Stephen, interesting to note that you are one of six boys. There are some people who would say your parents have done a big job raising six boys without any daughters. What was it like growing up with so many brothers?

(laughing) Well I’ve known nothing else. I really loved my childhood. I can still remember different people asking Mum what it was like having six boys and no girls. It never worried Mum that she had no daughters. She just says she loves her boys. I rank fourth in order. I can remember we always played sport in the backyard, whether it was footy, basketball, cricket or running. The funny thing is when the boys got a bit older there was competition between us to win whichever sport we were playing. It was the competition and me just tagging along behind Michael and Philip that led me into being involved with the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club when I was 13.

What’s your involvement with the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club now?

I’m the president of the club. I’ve held the role for four years. I’ve been a member of the club for 15 years.

How is the club going?

We’ve got over 500 members. Our nippers program is going from strength to strength. It looks like we’ll have record numbers in our nippers this year. Our nippers program offers children from the age of seven to 14 the chance to gain skills and be active in the surf, self-confidence and to improve their fitness. We offer the overall package which is great fun and we hope the children go home tired at the end of each Saturday morning session. The club is also hoping to have the first stage of a works program finished by Christmas.

What does the first stage of the works program consist of?

Previously we had only a small first aid room but our new first aid room should be finished by Christmas. We are hoping to launch a capital investment appeal within the next few weeks for works which need to be done. The works include having disabled facilities, making an energy-efficient room upstairs and rendering the existing building. We did receive pledges from both political parties before the state election. We’re hoping to get a few answers over the next few weeks from the Liberal Party as to what they will do for lifesaving clubs in Victoria.

I think we’ve all got a love for the ocean but on some occasions that love can turn into a tragedy. Have you been involved in any major rescues down at the Warrnambool beach?

I think you’re right, we’ve all got a love for the sea but on many occasions people don’t respect the sea. We had a tragedy down at Stingray Bay when some people lost their lives in 2005. I had been competiting in an event down at Torquay on that Sunday afternoon. We just got back from Torquay and all hell had broken lose at Stingray Bay. I was helping look after the main beach but after a while we closed the main beach and went down to Stingray Bay to help out. It was a very difficult time for everyone who was involved in the rescue bid.

With summer here, what advice can you give people who are going down to enjoy the Warrnambool beach?

Swim between the flags on the main beach. We’ve got patrols down at the main beach every Saturday and Sunday from now until Easter. From Boxing Day until Australia Day the patrols are every day. We encourage everyone to enjoy their time at the beach but they must learn to respect the water.

Stephen, have you been involved in any iron man competitions?

I competed in 2007 and 2008 in iron man events on the Gold Coast. They are gut-wrenching events. They consist of a surf ski paddle, an 800-metre run on the beach, a three-and-a-half-kilometre swim, a four-kilometre run on the beach, a five-and-a-half-kilometre board paddle in the ocean and a 10-kilometre run on the beach. I think there were 65 competitors in the 2007 event and I came in 25th place. I was really pleased with my efforts in 2007 but I went back the next year and really struggled. I think I finished in 50th place in 2008. I suffered a lot of pain in my stomach area in the 2008 event. I’m hoping to go back to compete in the event in 2011 but they have changed the date for the event. It’s better for me when it’s in October but I think next year it’s in September. I’ll have to wait and see if I can go but I just want to have another crack at the event. It pushes your body to the extremes.

Do you watch your diet?

Yes. I do a lot of training so I’m always watching what I eat. I try not to eat many fatty foods. I drink a lot of water to keep my body hydrated and I eat a lot of bananas.

You said that you do a lot of training for different events which you compete in. What does that training consist of?

During the winter months I do a lot of running. I run most nights during the winter and then run over more ground on weekends. I love running in the Koroit to Warrnambool half-marathons. I’ve found that running during the winter gives me a solid base for the season. When it comes summer I head down to the beach each morning for some training. I might have a swim or I’ll be out paddling surf ski board. There are some times that I might head out from the surf lifesaving club on the board and go to the flume or Granny’s Grave. The paddling board is about 10 feet long in the old measure. Riding on the boards require your body to be very flexible. You’ve got to be very strong in your upper body. Another key component is to have good balance on the board.

Apart from your involvement down at the surf lifesaving club, have you played any other sports?

The main one I played was footy. I played junior footy with CBC before joining South Warrnambool’s under 18 side. I ended up playing about 20 senior games with the Roosters. I suppose the highlights of my footy career are playing in an under 18 premiership side and two reserve premiership sides.

How would you describe your ability on the footy field?

(laughing) I would say I was a good defender who could run, spoil and handball but kicking was not my greatest asset.

During your sporting career have you sustained many injuries?

I’ve been lucky that I have not sustained any major injuries. I’m lucky because Jessica (wife) is a physiotherapist. She can usually judge if I’ve done any injury to myself.