F-Team Year in Review

As we wind down this crazy year, we thought we'd share some fun and interesting info about our awesome Funky Trunks F-Teamers from 2021! We can't wait to see what adventures they get up to and successes they achieve in 2022...

Robbie Powell

man standing on rock at water's edge — Robbie took us to his favourite places on a shoot in Ireland

Highlight of the year - A close friend of mine passed away at the age of 21 December 2020 and due to Covid, we couldn't have much of a send away for him so we gathered in his home town of Sligo in the summer and camped in his parents garden and got to know his parents as well as we knew Paul. We stayed for three days and it was during the good weather in Ireland so it was just this amazing time that we all needed after losing him in such a difficult time.
Biggest challenge of the year - Doing full time engineering in uni alongside a full time swim program was extremely tough but I'm still on the grind!
Best meal you had - I love domino's. Any domino's I get is my favorite. Or my girlfriend Lara and I got really nice mussels in Wexford during the summer. And a tasty banoffi pie after!
Amazing person you met - Any chance I got to socialize, I would see my close friends because it was rare last year.
What word sums up your year - Yurt
What’s your big goal for 2022 - Pb at European Champs in Rome

Ike Martinez

Highlight of the year - Going to the Olympic trials and making the B finals for the 200 fly.
Biggest challenge of the year - 3 week outdoor ed. program. Not so much living in the bush for 3 weeks, just dealing with personalities in different situations, you learn about different sides of people.
Best meal you had - Seafood tower for 2 just for me on my birthday.
Amazing person you met - Damien Jones. Changing clubs is a huge deal and he's been great.Can't wait to smash new goals, will miss my old team and coach :(
What word sums up your year - Exhilarating
What’s your big goal for 2022 - Adjusting to my new life, school, club, coach and friends.

Tom Richard

swimmer stepping out of the pool with arms stretched out — Tom Richard celebrating achieving one of his biggest goals: first WTCS of his life!

Highlight of the year - Being back in the French triathlon team after 5 years without and finishing 3rd in the European Championship.
Biggest challenge of the year - To race an entire season without being injured.
Best meal you had - Apple pie from my grand mother like when I was a kid
Amazing person you met - All people I met during my travel all around the world this year
What word sums up your year -Never give up
What’s your big goal for 2022 -To finish top 10 world ranking.

Jacob Templeton

Swimmer at the beach with hands on hips smiling — Paralympian Jake Templeton keeps busy with his training and helping out the team at Funky HQ!

Highlight of the year - Travelling and competing with my teammates, who are my best mates.
Biggest challenge of the year - Qualifying for the Tokyo Paralympic Games after missing the 2019 team by 0.3 of a second, but still not being selected for Tokyo.
Best meal you had - Butter chicken with naan, I’m pretty easy to please!!
Amazing person you met - Ian Thorpe - I was fortunate enough to do a school talk presentation with him.
What word sums up your year - Challenging.
What’s your big goal for 2022 - Qualifying for both the Commonwealth Games and IPC Worlds, and winning medals at both.

Calvin Reed

Swimmer with hands on goggles wearing a race suit — New F-Teamer Calvin Reed is as handy in front of the camera as he is in the pool!

Highlight of the year - Competing at Olympic Trials with friends.
Biggest challenge of the year - Staying fit and motivated during lockdown.
Best meal you had - Buffer sushi/sashimi really hit the spot!
Amazing person you met - My new coach Seb Beittol, just an incredible guy.
What word sums up your year - Inconsistent
What's your big goal for 2022 - To make my first international team! Dream it then do it.

Jamie Jack

male swimmer poses on pool deck — Jamie juggles training hard with modeling for Funky Trunks

Highlight of the year - Getting to compete and make a final at the Olympic Trails
Biggest challenge of the year - Having to find a new club
Best meal you had - Some amazing dishes cooked for us while at a swim camp in Thredbo
Amazing person you met - Cate and Bronte Campbell
What word sums up your year - Persistence
What's your big goal for 2022 - Continue to work on my weaknesses and consistency

Luke McCarron

man standing on the beach with towel over his head — Irish and English National Champ - big year!

Highlight of the year - Becoming Irish national champion followed by English national champion two weeks later
Biggest challenge of the year - Getting back up to speed in the pool after such an enforced absence
Best meal you had - A burger and chips at a cool burger joint in town following the last race of the 2021 season
Amazing person you met - My swim coach and training partner
What word sums up your year - Development
What's your big goal for 2022 - Become competitive on the ETU triathlon circuit

Kurt Wesley

man standing with arms crossed in bathing suit — Kurt is looking forward to getting overseas to race in 2022.

Highlight of the year - Bungy jumping for the first time after racing in Queensland.
Biggest challenge of the year - Trying to manage getting to races interstate whilst working and trying to avoid getting caught in a hotspot and having to quarantine.
Best meal you had - After finishing the Point to Pinnacle (Half marathon up Mount Wellington in Hobart), my friend took me to a steak house were I had one of the best (and expensive) meals I have ever eaten.
Amazing person you met - I haven’t had the chance to meet a lot of new people this year, but I’m looking forward to next year where I am able to meet new friends to live and train with overseas.
What word sums up your year - Inspiring
What’s your big goal for 2022 - Get overseas and have my best season in the sport yet.

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F-Team Year in Review