Northcliffe athlete Courtney Hancock features in Gold Coast sport Power 50 at No.30

FOR years, Courtney Hancock has been the high-profile ironwoman inspiring the next generation to head down to their local surf club.

Courtney Hancock. Picture: Jerad Williams

FOR years, Courtney Hancock has been the high-profile ironwoman inspiring the next generation to head down to their local surf club.

It’s a status the Northcliffe ace is proud to possess; after all, she can relate to up-and-coming girls looking up to her in the same way she did – and still does – to Karla Gilbert.

“There’s nothing that makes me happier than spending time with those kids and young girls and people who look up to you and respect you,” said Hancock.

WHO ELSE MADE THE 21-30 SECTION OF OUR POWER 50?

“There’s nothing better than coming across the finish line and whatever you may get, having that support from those beautiful young kids or just anyone because they kind of see something in you.

“You have to be yourself and that’s where people I think look up to you the most.

“When I came into the sport myself, I didn’t change anything and I’m still like that today. I’ve got my beliefs and talking about the sport, I work hard. I really work hard.”

Courtney Hancock in action. Picture: Harvpix

The Gold Coast can lay claim to being at the heart of surf life saving, making Hancock’s local presence even grander.

“That’s why I packed my bags and my car up as soon as I finished school and I came this way,” Hancock said of the Gold Coast’s standing in the sport, having grown up on the NSW North Coast.

“There definitely has to be a reason why all the competitions keep coming back and everyone holidays here.”

GOLD COAST SPORT POWER 50: NUMBERS 31 TO 40

IN FOCUS: BRETT WILKIE

Having made her professional career debut in 2006, her determination has not wavered with further Nutri-Grain Series and The Aussies crowns still in her sights.

“Mentally I feel fresh and happy as ever doing what I am doing and I’ll be a bit more excited when the surf picks up on the Coast,” she said.

“My dream when I was younger was that if I can go to the beach as my office and make that as my career that I would just be so happy in life.

WHO SNUCK IN AT NUMBERS 41 TO 50?

“I’m still doing that today. The sport has changed a lot at the moment from what it was but I feel like I have been very lucky to be able to be there as long as I have and still keeping healthy and fit.”