The Bond University pool is already full of surf and swimming talent but with new addition Matt Poole, it’s now almost overflowing.
The former Ironman champion has joined Bond as coach of the Surf Squad and the newly created Varsity Squad.
The 2017 Nutri- Grain Ironman winner brings a wealth of experience after spending 15 years on the competitive surf lifesaving circuit.
He is definitely no stranger to a 5am wakeup call but this time he will be more focused on others chasing black lines rather than crossing the finish line himself.
“I raced professionally for 15 years and after retirement I pretty much moved straight into coaching with a combination of surf and swim coaching,” Poole said.
“I’m slowly trying to get the hang of the watches and the cycles, but I’m excited for the challenge. Working with Kyle (Samuelson) and Chris (Mooney) is a great opportunity.”
Poole might be diving into the unknown, but there will be plenty of familiar faces as he transitions from competitor to coach with a large proportion of his squad former rivals now under his wing.
“I know pretty much all the surf swimmers,” he said.
“I grew up with Ali Day and trained and raced alongside him for most of my career.
“There’s quite a transition from athlete to coach. You go from the focus being on you to the focus being on your athletes and working with them to get the best out of them and managing different personalities, different body types and performance.”
Bond’s Director of Swimming Kyle Samuelson is excited for Poole to join the team.
“Looking across the pool and surf squads I think Matt will bring a lot of experience, particularly with the surf squad,” he said.
“They are more of a senior group so I think his experience will come through especially when we deal with some of the harder decisions in the competition block.”
Poole’s new Varsity Squad will be open to all Bond staff and students and will run in the mornings between 7.00-8:30am.
“It’s a great opportunity for students and staff to come down and stay fit,” Samuelson said.
“It's a great way to start your day, do a couple kms in the morning, have a bit of a laugh and push yourself.”