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Date Posted: 29 September 2023
While running is definitely one of the dominant sports, these champion dads are getting out there with different forms of exercise whilst raising kiddos just over a year old. Meet surfer Nicholas and powerlifter Andrew.
Nicholas, @drinkcoffeeridebikes
How many children do you have and how old are they?
One; Margot, 17 months
What is your sport/exercise of choice and how long have you been doing it?
Currently surfing, which I’ve been doing on and off for 10 years. My dad has surfed his whole life and I was a bodyboarder for years until I made the slow and frustrating switch. I like surfing with friends but can rarely organise it around work and family. I get out only when I get short windows.
Do you have a favourite location or national park to exercise?
Point Cartwright, or if I want to fight the crowds, Noosa.
What is your favourite piece of equipment that you always use before/during/after your exercise?
Oddly, the right wetsuit to make sure I’m not uncomfortable (either hot or cold) is an absolute must.
What is something you have learned since combining exercise and kids in your life?
Communication and striving for your partner to also find their exercise time is key.
What are some challenges you have faced? How did you overcome them?
There’s always a lingering guilt associated with bailing on parental duties to go for a surf. Just try to make up for it and communicate well.
What has been your greatest achievement in your sport?
Just progression. Until this year I’ve never set any goals.
Do you have any future goals for your sport?
This year I’m trying to do 100 hours, which may not seem like a lot. But finding the balance is real!
Do your children have any involvement in your sport?
Not regularly.
How do you encourage your children to be active?
She’s naturally active - we love going to the park and to the beach.
How do you incorporate sport into your daily/weekly routine?
I usually will try and get a quick wave before work once or twice a week.
What advice would you give to another dad wanting to get into exercise/sport but may be unsure as to where to start?
Just communicate with your partner and try to find a balance.
Andrew, @andrew_pegg_strength
One child, Ollie who is one year old.
Powerlifting. I started lifting 9 years ago, powerlifting 5 years ago and competing 1.5 years ago. Friends from uni got me into the gym but I've been training largely solo for the last 4 years.
Just at gyms. I like variety. I train at 2 different gyms and have my own studio too.
A barbell, rack, bench and plates
Don't worry if one of your training sessions isn’t perfect. Maybe you don't have a lot of time before you need to get back and help your partner. Maybe your sleep wasn't great because your baby was having a bad night. That's okay. You can do a little less and listen to your body and environmental factors.
Time and fatigue. It's harder to find time away to train and general fatigue is much higher
I'm not competitive; I compete for fun and self improvement. That said, putting together a good performance two months after Ollie was born is something I am proud of.
I want to keep getting better, improving myself, and I'd like to compete in the States next year.
Not currently. He's only one.
We play with him as much as possible
I try to plan out my training sessions so they don't get missed, and I try to make good nutrition choices when I can.
Don't think of it as all or nothing. If you can only do 1 day a week, you can still do it, have fun and see health benefits (both for yourself and through setting an example for your child).
