The Clarence Valley’s next potential Ironwoman, Kalani Ives, has made the move to train under an Olympian after being crowned the National Junior Ladies champion in the Australian Ocean Racing Series.
Kalani, who started Nippers when she was seven, competed in water and beach disciplines as a member of Yamba Surf Lifesaving Club for 10 years, until she claimed the NSW under 17 ironwoman title in 2021.
Along the way the talented athlete has picked up numerous titles since she began competing as an eight-year-old in board, ski, swim, iron person, flags and beach sprints.
Last year, Kalani competed in the Australian Ocean Racing Series, her mother Jasmine said, where she was crowned National Junior Ladies Champion in Western Australia after competing in eight ski races against 22 competitors.
The Australian Ocean Series is a national ocean racing series attracting competitors across a number of disciplines including ocean skis, surf skis, stand up paddleboards, prone paddleboards and outrigger canoes.
“The last event she competed in was the WA race week, held around Perth, and one of the paddles was from Rottnest Island back to Sorrento beach (about 30km),” she said.
“She also competed in the Hells Gate 38 which was a 38km paddle.”
Jasmine said now her 17-year-old daughter’s aspirations to be a professional athlete have seen her move to the Gold Coast, where she has joined BMD Northcliffe Surf Club.
She said Kalani’s move to the Gold Coast came about after BMD Northcliffe Surf Club sports director Mark Williams reached out to the family after her outstanding paddles in the Australian Ocean Racing Series.
“Kalani really wants to become a professional ironwoman, that’s the end goal, and that’s why she’s recently moved to train under Naomi Flood,” Jasmine said.
Naomi Flood, who won the Ironwoman series in 2009 and went on to represent Australia at the 2012 Olympics in kayaking, has taken a number of athletes under her wing at the BMD Northcliffe club and is training them to compete at the highest level.
“Since she moved up there, she has been fortunate to have some good guidance and mentors from some really good people,” Jasmine said.
“Previously Kalani was coached by her dad, so it’s been a good transition for her and it’s giving her every chance possible to succeed.
“One of her goals is to make the Nutrigrain Ironwoman series one day.”
Jasmine said Kalani competed in Nutrigrain Next Gen competition last weekend where she came second, and the winner was awarded a wildcard into the Nutrigrain Series.
Ultimately, Kalani still has a goal of competing in the world’s most gruelling ocean paddle, the 32-mile Molokai to Oahu race in Hawaii.
“This year she won’t be competing in the Molokai because the Australian Titles are held in April then the Molokai to Oahu race is in May,” Jasmine said.
“She is definitely aiming to do the Molokai paddle in 2024.
“It’s her passion, she just loves being out in the ocean racing.”
This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 8 February 2023.
