One of sport’s toughest events only attracts the toughest of competitors. AIMES Emerging talent winner 2015, Danielle McKenzie is proving she’s among the toughest. The multisport athlete of steel is smashing it on the world stage, riding high after finishing an astonishing second overall in the latest  Nutri-Grain Iron Series, which sees 40 of the top surf sports stars battle it out.

Now based in Australia, former Rangitoto College student Danielle answered some questions for the North Harbour Club on the back of her latest success.

What are your earliest memories of triathlon?

The earliest memories of competing in triathlon is for my intermediate school, Murrays Bay. My parents would take me out to Hobsonville and we would swim in the harbour and bike and run along the pathway down there. I remember borrowing Mum's road bike and my parents teaching me how to ride the road bike only days before the race.

Another awesome event I competed in was the AIMES games in Tauranga. I used to compete in the water polo and then I did the multisport event (paddle, bike, run). I clearly remember the boys starting two minutes in front of the girls and I out paddled everyone and was the first person off the water, beating the boys. We then mountain biked on farmland and ran on trails. I think I was leading the boys’ race and obviously ended up winning the females’ too, mostly because of my paddling skills.

How did growing up on the North Shore aid your development in surf lifesaving, then triathlon?

Growing up on the North Shore meant I had access to a range of different sports, which allowed me to try everything and eventually succeed. There was a great bunch of mentors at the North Harbour Triathlon Club. Steve Farrell, in particular, in my later years of doing triathlon.

Mairangi Bay SLSC was close to home and really welcomed my family and I. Dad helped out with a lot of the coaching and I got to borrow all the club gear and join a really awesome family club. There were some great athletes, coaches and mentors who I looked up to and really helped me along the way. Some to mention Katie Pocock, Jason Pocock, Danny Morrison and Daniel Grant.

Where do you live now & when did you move there?

Currently I’m residing on the Gold Coast. Originally it was the easiest place to travel from NZ to pursue further opportunities in surf lifesaving. The availability of races is much higher, and the level of competition is a step above. The majority of the top Ironmen and women move to the Gold Coast for training. I joined Northcliffe Surf Lifesaving club as there were also Kiwi connections from Mairangi Bay SLSC. I have the ability to train in warm weather all year round.

Who most influenced your decision to become a professional athlete?

Mostly myself, and my drive for winning and becoming a better athlete and person.

What's been your favourite moment in competing in the sport so far?

Racing for the Black Fins (NZ Surf Lifesaving team) and winning back-to-back world titles in 2014 France and 2016 Netherlands. You can't beat the pride of representing NZ and racing for your country.

How did 2020/21 impact you personally and your ability to train and compete?

It had a massive impact as most racing was cancelled or postponed. It's really hard as an athlete because you rely on those races to achieve the goals you have set and also racing brings in sponsorships, which in turn brings in income. It was also a good year to reset and re-evaluate the things which are important and the things that make me happy in life.

It was also super hard watching other athletes from different countries travel around and compete in the various events and the world champs races, with not having the option to even race at all.

What have been the highlights and challenges of the 2022 Nutrigrain Iron Series?

Highlights: Being back on the podium again and, in round 4, sharing it with my two other club mates Harriet Brown and Georgia Miller.

Challenges: Round 3 was postponed due to tsunami warnings from the Tonga volcanic eruption. Therefore, it was moved to the last weekend of racing where we raced four days in a row. Our sport is so intense with the multiple legs you have to do and the amount of racing - those four days in a row were super intense. I can say that I was very fatigued after racing and I’m still paying for it now!

We also got the opportunity to race in some very challenging surf conditions which were super fun. At least 6ft waves and almost gale force winds. Although I got smashed both days and didn't find any luck, I was pretty happy to compete the races.

If there was one thing you could change in your sport, what would it be and why?

Be an Olympic sport! Because the Olympics is pretty much seen as the pinnacle sporting event.

Have you set goals for this year, and beyond?

- Finish my Master’s in Teaching.

- Compete in the World Surf Life Saving Champs in Italy and hopefully regain our World Championship titles.

- Compete in the World Ocean Ski Racing in Portugal and look to regain the world title I won back in 2019.

How did winning an AIMES Emerging Talent Award assist you?

Winning this award allowed me to pursue challenges that I never thought I would get the opportunity to. I was able to go overseas to train and compete and meet some fantastic friends who have helped me along the way to where I am today.

What is your advice to young Shore athletes considering an AIMES Award application?

Absolutely apply. If you have the drive to succeed in your sport, you deserve to have support along the way. It's also a great opportunity to connect to other athletes and continue being supported by the community.