Rising start, Byron Dieckmann, is a force to be reckoned with after his stella 2024 season in full flight.
Fresh off the bat after co-captaining the Maroochy Surf Lifesaving Club Youth team to a win in the World Lifesaving Championships last week, Dieckmann reflects on his journey to becoming one of the Sunny Coasts most promising waterman.
The 2024 SCS Next Gen award winner, became involved in SLSC nippers as a 5 year-old and hasn’t looked back. Byron has been representing Maroochydore Surf Club since U13’s where he showed early signs of a future career in SLSC and professional kayaking. The past 12 months have been a highlight for the 17 year-old, representing Australia at the Asia Pacific Canoa Sprint Cup (Sydney) and ICF Junior World Championships (Bulgaria).
This is just the beginning for the confident Sunny Coaster, “I am really proud to represent the Sunshine Coast when I make these Australia Teams. Paddling on the Sunshine Coast has produced so any Olympians and I hope to continue this in the future.”
Staying committed to his training over the years, Byron has been able to overcome the barriers of narrowly missing qualifications, to now captaining Sunny Coast teams, serving as a role model for younger generations. Where passion meets determination, the young gun Byron has worked hard to bring out his best performances under pressure,
“I love racing the best of the best. When the competition rises l lift. I enjoy being the hunter and this is when l perform best.”
With a regular training regime of 15 sessions over 6 days, it has been a big year to say the least. After achieving several medals in the World Surf Life Saving Championships at Kurrawa beach last week, Byron is looking forward to some well-earned rest, into a training block to peak in early 2025. He has his eyes set on Ironman series trials, as well as the National Kayak team trials, and we will be cheering him on the whole way!
A proud Sunny Coaster and a dedicated Maroochy SLC patrol member with a bright future ahead, we cannot wait to watch as Byron’s career continues to thrive.
Follow Byron journey via Instagram
Article written by Sophie McCulloch.
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