Hayden Smith

Former Kellogg’s Series Ironman, now Business Owner, Masters Competitor and supporter of athletes and events. Central Coast Director of Surf Sports

Hayden Smith

born

1980

Nationality

Australian

Disciplines

Surf Ski, Ocean Ski, Board Paddling, Running, Ironman, Swimming, Long Distance Events

Strengths

Board Paddling

SKILLS & INTERESTS

Consistency, resilience and drive over talent

Surf Club

Terrigal SLSC

testimonial

I am incredibly happy with my BOS ski. I started paddling BOS only two weeks before the 2024 Coolangatta Gold and broke the Masters Course record by almost 10 mins with a 4:20 finish, finishing 12th overall. Its an incredibly comfortable ski, great in all conditions and made by wonderful people.

Achievements

Former Kellogg’s Series athlete 2005/2008

5th place Open Ironman 2008 World Champs

2024/25 Season

Coolangatta Gold:

1st place & record time Masters Overall
10th fastest time overall (incl. Open Elite)

World Lifesaving Championships:

Gold 40-44 Swim, Board, Ski & Iron
Overall 6 gold, 3 silver

NSW State Championships:

Gold 40-44 Ski and Ironman
Overall 4 gold, 3 silver

Australian Championships (reduced program due to injury)

1st 40-44 Ironman, 2km Swim
2ns 40-44 double ski

Other Achievements

Australian Open Board Relay and Australian Open Surf Teams Gold Medal
2nd place – O/24 Surf Race Australian Champs
Australian Open Ironman Final
24 Australian titles gold medals across Opens and Masters
Current Masters World Champion – Swim, Board, Ski and Ironman – 2024
Coolangatta Gold Short Course and Long Course winner (Masters)
Masters Course Record Long Course Gold
2005 Molokai to Oahu Teams Paddleboard winner
4th Place – 2019 Molokai Board Race (open elite) aged 40
Masters Swimming Australian Champion – 200/400 Free, 200 fly
2:54 Marathon – 2022 Chicago Marathon
Two time Hawaiian Ironman finisher

Personal Profile

I’m a proud husband to India and father to Duke and Hennessey. My son Duke is a talented surf and runner and soon to be faster than Dad.
I’m a Business Owner – I own and operate 6 McDonald’s Restaurants across the Central Coast and Newcastle and employ 850 people.
I have a lifetime in Surf Lifesaving. Formerly competing at the highest level I could attain, now content to compete and be fit and healthy and a good role model with the occasional competitive period (ie 2024 Worlds and Coolangatta Gold).
I find myself testing myself across different endurance sports (triathlon, marathons, hyrox, ultramarathons, ocean swimming, surf ski paddling).
I’m the Director of Surf Sports for Surf Lifesaving Central Coast, hopefully following in my Dad Paul’s footsteps who was previously CEO of Surf Lifesaving and is a Life Member of SLSA and a member of the SLSA Hall of Fame.
I’m driven these days to be the best version of myself, support other people doing the same and giving back to the movement that has given me and taught me so much.