Olympic surfer Billy ‘THE LOVE THAT INSPIRES ME'

As he prepares to make a splash in Tokyo, the Waikato athlete shares the romance and family tragedy that drive him

- India Hendrikse

When Woman’s Day arrives at Olympic surfer Billy Stairmand’s cosy home overlooking Raglan Harbour on a bitterly cold Waikato morning, there’s a very soggy wetsuit hanging by the front door.

We’re thankful for the heat pump that’s blasting as we’re introduced to his wife Liana Parker, plus their rescue dog Obie and Sphynx cat Winnie. It’s difficult to imagine anyone braving the icy Tasman Sea on a day like this.

But the eight-time national champion, 31, has already had his usual surf out at the famed left-hand break of Manu Bay, in preparation for representing New Zealand at the Olympic Games’ first-ever surfing competition, due to start on Sunday, July 25.

The honour hasn’t gone to Billy’s head, though. “Usually I’m pretty quiet, humble and shy, but when I compete, I’m totally different – I just want to prove a point and express myself,” he tells us. Nodding, Liana agrees, “He’s totally different out on the water.”

Sitting at a table topped with crystals and sage – testament to Raglan’s alternative vibe – Billy reflects on the career highlight of beating 10-time world champion Kelly Slater at a surfing event in 2011. “I was this up-and-coming rookie and I had nothing to lose, so I had the mentality of going out and having fun,” he remembers.