TJ Hendy and Bay Wildin-Snedden reveal which surf stars inspired them

They’re the inspirations to many aspiring nippers but who inspired our current stars?

THEY’RE the inspirations to many aspiring nippers but who inspired our current stars?

TJ Hendy never had to look far for inspiration growing up.

MERMAID BEACH’S SURF LIFE SAVING SUPER MUM

Although his dad, surf life saving legend Trevor Hendy, was on the verge of retirement when TJ was born, the 24-year-old was quickly realised the significance of his dad’s achievements.

“The way I see my dad, is through a different set of eyes being his son but what he’s done in our sport is something amazing,” he said.

“I didn’t get to see a whole lot of it but I’ve won a race with him and got to see make the Australian board final when he was 43.”

Gold Coast ironman competitor TJ Hendy. Pictures: Supplied

For Bay Wildin-Snedden, Surfers Paradise teammates Courtney Hancock and Karlee Nurthen are a daily source of inspiration.

“I’d see her in the bathrooms and get all nervous,” the 20-year-old said of seeing Nurthen while she was a nipper at Mooloolaba.

Surfers Paradise's best IronMen and IronWomen will be hoping the home ground advantage will pay dividends for them when Round Four of the Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman Series heads to Surfers Paradise Beach this weekend. Bay Wildin-Snedden, . Picture: Jerad Williams

“When I was younger, I would be up at the surf club having breakfast with my family and Karlee and her sister Amy we’re always working.

“Courtney Hancock is the reason I’m still doing this sport.”

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Surfers Paradise will host round four of the Nutri-Grain series this weekend and it will also mark the first time everyone can access the beach after the club partnered with Volunteering Gold Coast to deliver a fully accessible beach.

Surfers Paradise's best IronMen and IronWomen will be hoping the home ground advantage will pay dividends for them when Round Four of the Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman Series heads to Surfers Paradise Beach this weekend. This weekend Surfers Paradise SLSC will be making the Nutri-Grain Series more accessible for fans, (l-r) Courtney Hancock, Max Beattie, TJ Hendy, Bay Wildin-Snedden and Karlee Nurthen, with George Cunningham . Picture: Jerad Williams

“People with disabilities sometimes don’t have the same opportunities as I have so it’s great our surf club has been able to install this on the weekends with the help of Volunteering Gold Coast and give everyone that opportunity,” Hendy said.