Pressure, Performance & Backing Yourself | Surf Lifesaving Hall of Famer Jen Parry

What does it take to perform at the highest level, handle the pressure of the big stage, and find your place in surf lifesaving beyond competition?

This episode, we sit down with Jen Parry, one of Australian surf lifesaving’s most decorated athletes and a recent inductee into the SLSA Hall of Fame.

From joining a small surf club in Emu Park to representing Australia, winning 15 world titles, 29 world championship medals and setting multiple world records, Jen’s career has taken her around the world and across almost every part of surf lifesaving.

But her story doesn’t end when the racing does. From athlete to Australian team selector, mentor and commentator, Jen has continued to find new ways to contribute to the sport. And as we discover, calling surf sports is a whole different challenge to competing in them.

In this episode we cover:

• What it’s really like racing on the world stage and dealing with pressure
• The transition from elite athlete to Australian team selector and mentor
• Why Jen made the move into commentary and what makes surf sports so difficult to call
• The preparation, research and nerves that go into commentating live competition
• Why some of Jen’s favourite memories have nothing to do with medals
• Her advice for athletes chasing selection and competing on the world stage
• The one thing Jen wishes she could tell her younger self: back yourself

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