Michael King.
Past Ironman Champion.
Head Coach of Burleigh Head’s Mowbray Park Surf Lifesaving Club.
An exceptionally great man – just ask his Race One athletes.
Our current World Board and Swim Champion Lily O’Sullivan was quick to respond with ‘compassionate’ when asked to describe her coach in just one word.
Charlotte Cross and Claudia-Rose Slaven weren’t far off the mark with ‘empathetic’ and ‘understanding’.
Described with such words from three of his top female athletes could possibly reveal the secret to Kingy and the ongoing success story of Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park SLSC.
Perhaps without realizing it themselves, our Race One athletes have described their coach with qualities that entirely reflect the importance of others.
Describing his new coach with a quality that is hard to acquire, uphold and deliver constantly and consistently in today’s demanding world, Race One’s Tanyn Lyndon attributed Kingy with the golden quality of being ‘present’.
Present at each session. Present in every conversation. Present in the differing aspects of his athletes and their day-to-day lives.
For Race One young gun Ethan Callaghan it’s a little bit of a love story.
When the question was put to him, he replied with ‘loving’.
At just 18-years of age, Ethan is arguably Australia’s strongest up and coming Ironman.
Finishing 8th in both the 2024/25 Shaw and Partners Ironman Series and the 2024/25 World Ocean Ironman Series, , Ethans success may just reflect the love and support that he receives from his family, friends and head coach himself; Kingy.
For the big, and not so bad, Benny Carberry, one word for Kingy just wouldn’t cut it.
Reeling off committed, passionate, knowledgeable, organized, understanding and finishing with the statement ‘Couldn’t put him into one word as he’s the best coach, the best person!’ appears to sum Kingy up perfectly.
When described by 6 of his top Race One athletes, there is no question as to how the ‘KINGdom’ continues to climb the ladder of success.
Attributes that wholeheartedly reflect the importance of others.
A presence that ensures others know they are heard and understood.
Delivered with a love, care and understanding, it is clear as the waters, Kingy and the ongoing success story of Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park Surf Lifesaving Club, comes from the qualities within Michael King himself.
Written by Allie Lyndon