By Abbey Cannan
Surf Ironwoman Carla Papac has settled into the Noosa scene like a true local, and now the reigning champion is ready to put her training to good use at this weekend’s Coolangatta Gold.
Since switching Cronulla for Noosa a year and a half ago to train with legendary Ironman Darren Mercer, Carla has won the Coolangatta Gold 2022, scored a job at Noosa Physio as an Exercise Physiologist, and is now the first athlete to be sponsored by Bendigo Community Bank Tewantin-Noosa, Cooroy and Marcoola.
She started nippers in the U6s at Cronulla SLSC, and from that point on, her parents couldn’t get her out of the water.
Getting competitive once reaching the older age groups, she started making appearances in the Nutri-Grain series but with inconsistent results.
With a plan of giving herself the best chance to train in ideal conditions, she made the move to Noosa in 2022.
“I wanted to give myself a really good training block and give myself the best opportunity to not just race the Coolangatta Gold but the Nutri-Grain and Summer of Surf series,“ Carla said.
“Noosa has a great reputation with Darren and Jordie (Mercer) and I had a chance to train with them before I moved up, and I had a good connection with both of them.
“One of the biggest things was the weather and lifestyle. I wanted to put myself into a little training camp where I had less distractions and I could be more of a selfish athlete.“
With Bendigo Bank jumping on board as a major sponsor, she’s looking forward to helping out with local initiatives.
“I feel very lucky that they’ve decided to support me. It takes away a huge financial burden,” Carla said.
“I’m excited to be backed by a community-based bank that does a lot to give back to the community. They have so many great initiatives that I can’t wait to be involved in. We’ve got lots of ideas in the works.”
At last year’s Coolangatta Gold, she beat four time champion Courtney Hancock by 36 seconds. This time round, her preparation has been similar with a few key changes.
“It still feels surreal to hear that. Even though I did win, there’s still always lessons to take away from each race,” she said.
“I’ve been working with a local strength and conditioning coach from Noosa Barbell Club, Woogie Marsh. He’s amazing, he’s been so influential and important in my prep; not just physically but mentally. I also implemented a new running coach, Mitch Hunter, he has been a local coach in Noosa for many years. I’ve also been swimming with Kareena Lee and the JR group at NAC (Noosa Aquatic Centre), so I think it’s going really well.
“I feel really strong, fit and healthy. That’s all I can hope for and hope that I did enough to win. Definitely not the end of the season with the Coolangatta Gold, it’s more the start of the season.“
It’s always a challenge for athletes trying to fit in their work, as well as training, resting and recovering whilst also being social.
“But I love doing it all,“ Carla said.
“I went to uni and got my degree in exercise physiology and I never saw myself as just being an athlete. I always wanted to try to make the most out of my potential.“
When it comes down to race day, Carla can get so nervous to the point where she almost doesn’t want to race.
“But Woogie Marsh told me that nerves are actually the same feeling as excitement. I’m trying to feel more excited. My family is coming up. I know that as soon as I get down there I’m going to be pumped,“ she said.
“I’m always in a little bit of fluster before the race. My Mum and Dad are very involved, so Mum will be pulling me away for a meditation and I’ll have someone else trying to ask me another question, but look, that’s how I live my life and I wouldn’t expect anything else for race day.
“I like to go out into the surf and feel the ocean and try to get my heart rate up a little bit so it’s not as much of a shock when I go to race.”
After winning last year’s event, Carla feels the pressure to do it again, but it’s mainly coming from herself.
“I know that I’ll be so stoked with whatever result I get, as long as I give the performance as I can,“ she said.
“I’d like to give a shoutout to all the community sponsors that have helped me prepare; Integrated Rehab Centre and Noosa Surf Life Saving Club in general have been really supportive. Of course, I want to extend a big thank you to the Bendigo Community Bank Sunshine Coast team for their support in both my sporting endeavours and within the community.”
