You must be involved with plenty of work behind the scenes? A lot of my work relates to liaising with the surf clubs in the area and volunteer Marine Rescue in regard to volunteers and equipment. Getting the paperwork done and off to the right people. Planning and measuring the course, making sure the equipment we have is correct and in good shape.

Then it's setting the course on the Saturday. On Sunday we finish setting the course, brief water safety for the day and then it's race time, then pack up. I couldn't do it with out the help of a regular & committed group of helpers.

Where can you be found on race day? I'm up at about 3.30-4am at the boatshed to organise the last bit of set up, greeting water safety from 5.30am and generally running around a lot making sure it all comes together.

Do you get to just relax and watch the race at any point?  After packing it all up, I usually get to see some of the age groupers finish. The full-distance race a bit different as it goes a lot longer so I see more.

How did you get involved in the Ironman movement? I competed in a lot of triathlons in the 1990s and competed in the first long course in Port, then in following years was doing water safety, co-ordinating Port Macquarie Surf Club's water safety. Then Greg Laws asked if I would be interested in taking over as water safety director in 2007. I've been here ever since.

Is it a year-round job for you or is there time when you don't have to think about Ironman? The event starts about three and a half months out for me. That's when the paperwork starts and I get in touch initially with the surf clubs and Volunteer Marine Rescue.

When will the planning of next year's race begin? For IM, February for a May event. For the 70.3, late July for this weekend.

Tell us a bit about travelling around with the IM events. You went to Cairns last year? I had two weeks in Cairns last year as swim director for their IM and 70.3. I was also swim director for the Coral Coast Triathlon races and the Green Island Ocean Swim. It was a very hectic fortnight, but very rewarding.

You're also involved with the Port Macquarie Surf Club. What do you do there? I've been a member of the Port Macquarie SLSC for almost 20 years. I'm a patrol captain, have been a gear steward and nipper water supervisor. I was president for three years, have competed for the club and have had both kids go through Nippers as well. I'm also a trainer/assessor, a level two surf coach and am involved in training members. It's a good life at the beach!

Do you have any other sport commitments or passions? After all that, there's not a lot of room left! My son has played representative basketball for the Dolphins since he was 12, so there has been a lot of running around for him and I've been trying to get to Mel Cockshutt's cycling sessions when I can. I'm also a council lifeguard in school holidays so there is a lot swimming and running to stay fit.