She’s been building quietly, but the results are starting to speak loudly. We recently sat down with young gun Kaitlin Rees to talk racing, growth and what’s next.

“I used to treat open races as learning experiences, but now I try to go onto the line believing that I can win”

 

How did you first get into Ironwoman racing?

I first started nippers at Swansea Belmont because we lived so close to the beach and my parents wanted me to be competent in the surf. But ever since my very first session, I just fell in love with training and racing. I’m also lucky that my dad raced as a professional Ironman having him around definitely made me even more keen to get into Ironwoman racing.

 Your family has always been around the beach - who were your earliest influences growing up?

I’m lucky to have parents who travel to every carnival I want to race at and support me no matter what. But growing up, my dad was always my biggest influence. He grew up racing in the Uncle Toby’s Series, so I always aspired to be like him. And ever since I started nippers in the U6s, he’s been my coach and age manager. I honestly don’t think I’d be where I am today without him.

 You’ve been climbing quickly through the ranks. What’s the long-term goal for you in the sport?

Coming into opens, I wasn’t expecting to be mixing it with the top girls this early. But now that I’ve realised I can be up there, it’s definitely changed my goals. The big dream is to make the Shaw and Partners Iron Series eventually. And a race I’d love to win one day is the Shannon Eckstein Iron Classic. It has so much prestige, and to win an event named after one of the greats would be pretty special.

 You’re dominant in the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series standings. Does that shape how you see your future - Iron Series, Worlds, specialist events?

I definitely wasn’t expecting to be so high in the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series standings. Missing out on the Shaw and Partners Iron Series has definitely made the Shaw and Partners World Ocean series. events a big focus for me, and it would be great to win the MVP title.  The reality is that it is still relatively early in the series with a lot of the major events still to come, so at this stage I’m trying to not focus on the overall point scores.

 You’ve been on an absolute tear this season. What’s been the biggest shift in your racing or mindset?

I think I’ve just gained a lot more confidence. Realising that I actually can mix it with the top girls has changed everything. I used to treat open races as learning experiences, but now I try to go onto the line believing that I can win.

 You’ve taken some time balancing training blocks with racing - how has that helped you perform at your best?

Growing up, my dad always said that racing is the best training. It can definitely be hard balancing training with racing most weekends, but nothing compares to that race intensity. Having those extra race reps under your belt makes such a difference, especially in those split-second moments that can make or break your race.

 We’re seeing more Ironwomen doing updates and behind-the-scenes content. Is that something you’re leaning into?

Definitely. Our sport is growing, but a lot of people don’t really know what we do. I want to create a bit of a platform by showing what I get up to as an Ironwoman and posting behind-the-scenes content. If we can bring more spectators into the sport, that’s how it grows and how we athletes can make more of a living out of it. I also want to promote Shaw and Partners, and Race One for all the support they provide me, plus their support allows us to have all these great events to compete in.

 You race alongside some big names. Who have you learned the most from?

I still pinch myself standing on the line next to the women I’ve looked up to my whole life. There are so many I’ve learned from, but the one that stands out is Georgia Miller. Not only is she one of the greatest athletes our sport has ever seen, she’s also an even better person. At my first Iron Series trials two years ago, I was so nervous, and she came over and gave me a talk that stuck with me ever since. It definitely shaped the way I race today.

 Is there a specific lesson or mindset trick that’s stuck with you?

For sure. One of my favourite quotes from my coach, Coasty, is: “Toughen up princess. If you’re hurting, everyone else is. It’s just who wants it more.”
I love thinking about that before I race.

 You’re getting labelled as a future superstar. How do you stay grounded with that attention?

I definitely don’t let it get to my head. There are at least seven other girls coming up through the ranks who are just as fast, and we’re all pushing each other every race. Knowing how strong the field is keeps me pretty grounded.

 

 Surf sports is demanding physically and mentally - how do you balance being a young athlete with everything else?

Being a 17-year-old girl training for such a demanding sport can definitely be tough. Training 2–3 times a day is hard physically and mentally, and sometimes it sucks having to say no to hanging out with friends or missing parties because of racing. But that’s part of trying to become a professional Ironwoman. I’m lucky I’ve already made lifelong friends in the sport, which makes training and racing so much more enjoyable.

 Ironwoman racing can be gruelling. What does “hard work” look like for you day-to-day?

Training for Ironwoman racing is honestly full-on. You’re trying to be good at four different disciplines, so most days I’m juggling a swim in the morning, a full day of school, then in the arvo heading back out for a run and then either a board, ski or iron. It ends up being 2-3 sessions a day.

 Whether it's big surf or high-pressure finals, how do you manage nerves and fear on the start line?

Honestly, I love a good yap on the start line. Chatting to the girls keeps me relaxed and calm. It’s the best way for me to switch off the nerves.

 Have you had any moments where you’ve really had to reset or rebuild?

This season, going into the Shaw and Partners Iron Series Trials, I finally felt confident that I was good enough to qualify if things went my way. But getting sick the week before really set me back, and I just missed out. I was really disappointed and it made me question whether I still wanted to do the sport. But after a few days, I went back to training and the club really picked me up. That setback has honestly made me hungrier than ever.

 This next generation of female surf athletes is pushing the pace. How do you see women’s racing evolving?

I think we’re about to see Ironwoman racing take the next big step. There are so many young girls coming through who are lifting the pace. My age group has raced together for so many years, and I think that’s helped all of us make the jump into opens easier  and start pushing the older girls already. You can see it with athletes like Jess Conrad making open iron finals. The depth in women’s racing is growing so fast.

 Social media is becoming huge in surf sports. How important is it for athletes like you coming through?

I think it’s massive. Because our sport is still pretty small, social media is one of the best ways for people to see what we do. For young athletes like me, it’s a chance to build a profile, attract sponsors, and help grow the sport at the same time. If we want surf sports to keep getting bigger, athletes need to show people what actually goes on behind the scenes.  We also need to promote the companies that support us and our sport like Race One and Shaw and Partners.

 What has being an Ironwoman taught you that you could never learn in school or regular life?

Being an Ironwoman has taught me resilience. You can’t learn how to get belted in big surf, pop back up, and keep going in a classroom. It’s taught me how to handle pressure, bounce back from setbacks, manage nerves, and trust myself.

Where do you see yourself in five years - still in the top pack, or doing something new?

In five years, I’d love to still be racing at the top level. I also want to do more downwind ocean paddling.  I just want to keep developing as an athlete, keep pushing myself, and hopefully become someone the younger girls can look up to, the same way I look up to the women racing now.

Your family and club must be incredibly proud. What does their support mean to you?

Their support means the world to me. My family has been there from the very beginning, through the early mornings, the tough sessions, the setbacks, and the moments when I doubted myself. My club, Swansea Belmont, is like a second family. Having that kind of support behind me makes the hard days much easier.

 

With maturity beyond her years, a relentless work ethic, and a growing belief that she belongs at the pointy end of the sport, Kaitlin Rees is quietly building something special. Grounded by her family and club, driven by resilience, and fuelled by a genuine love for racing, she represents everything that’s exciting about the next generation of Ironwomen. If this season is any indication, it won’t be long before we’re watching her carve her way right to the very top of the sport.

 

Catch Kaitlin Rees alongside the sport’s best at the Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series Manly Surf Open, a massive 10,000-point round hitting Manly on January 16–17, 2026.