Skip to main content
Start of main content.

Daniel sets sail for Denmark for World Championships

Bond University student Daniel Self is getting set to take on the world at the 2018 Sailing World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark.

The 21-year-old is currently ranked sixth in Australia in the laser class and has his sights set on becoming an Olympian.

“The goal is to get to the Olympics. Ideally Tokyo, but Paris 2024 is a more realistic goal,” Self told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

“I’ve got the basics for what is needed to compete at an international and Olympic level, but I really need to fine tune all of my skills.

“This is the biggest event of the four-year cycle. It is the first chance to qualify your country for the Olympics too.”

Self was a relative late-comer to the sport, but grew up around boats on family holidays sailing around Europe and the Greek Islands.

The Actuarial Science student, who is a member of Bond's Elite Sports Program (BESP), has made a fast ascent through the ranks and was the first youth advisor on the board of Yachting Queensland and is also the vice president of the Queensland Laser Association.

“This year is the first time I’ve been able to qualify for the Queensland Academy of Sport program. When I was 19, I didn’t really have the coaching and support that a lot of the other sailors had,” he said.

“To be able to qualify after four years of going for that goal was a massive weight off my shoulders.

“Last year I had some pretty solid results, I made gold fleet – that is the top third of a regatta in some big international events.”

As a BESP athlete, the University provides Daniel with support and guidance to balance his academic and sporting goals through flexible study loads and timetabling, as well as having access to Bond’s Elite Athlete Fund which provides funding to participate in sporting events and competitions.

More from Bond

  • Bond athletes clean up at Sports Star awards

    The Gold Coast Sports Star of the Year awards resembled the University Blues as Bond athletes took home a swag of honours.

    Read article
  • Bull Sharks stun premiers in round one upset

    The Bond University first grade side has made the perfect start to their 2023 campaign, defeating the Wests Bulldogs 32-17.

    Read article
  • Politics at heart of housing crisis

    Australia’s housing crisis isn’t the fault of dodgy developers and greedy landlords, it’s a product of politics and poor leadership, says a Bond University property expert.

    Read article
  • In pictures: Bull Sharks rugby season launch

    Bond University Rugby launched their 2023 season with a breakfast at the Fabian Fay Clubhouse.

    Read article
  • A student's perspective on technology in elite sports

    Medical student and cricketer Benjamin Rainbird gains new insights into the use of technology in sports during a debate featuring Usman Khawaja.

    Read article
Previous Next