What is the most courageous thing you have done?

Answer

This is a hard one…..
I think moving from Sawtell to the Gold Coast just after finishing school was definitely one of the most courageous things I have done in my life.
The reason being because I knew no one here and Sawtell was all I have ever known. I think in life you have to make those sacrifices sometimes to achieve.

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What was your favourite sport?

Answer

My favourite sport was ironwoman racing, Basketball & AFL

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What was your favorite subject to study?

Answer

Always PE! I loved sport at a very young age.

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Who was your best friend? Are you still in touch with them?

Answer

Yes I met my best friend when I was very young & are still best friends today. I will be her Maid of Honour for Tina this year.

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What is your earliest memory?

Answer

When my youngest sister was born, being in the hospital & holding Indy for the first time. I would have been 4.

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Do you recall any interesting stories regarding your birth?

Answer

Just that I was a very active & advantuous baby

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When and where were you born?

Answer

3rd of August 1988, Perth

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Having watched and admired you from a distance your article in yesterday’s paper had so many similarities to my daughter. We have been involved in the Surf Club since my eldest son was 5, he is now 21 & competes at State & Aussies every year. So after watching you I found it hard to believe that could have happened to you.

My youngest daughter is 12 years old. She has 2 brothers 21 & 16 & a sister who is 19, & I have never experienced anything like this with any of the others. We have had unbearable times over the last two years at school, not a good way to finish Primary school. Having received no or very little help from the school we were left to deal with this on our own. Me being her number 1 supporter also made me a lot of enemies with her so called ‘friends’ and their parents.

She is tall, slim with beautiful long brown hair & brown eyes, she is a beautiful dancer which is her main focus, she said when she dances everything goes away & that is the same for you with Surf Life Saving, she loves sport playing oz tag & netball. They are the only reasons I can think of as to why these girls would be so nasty to her. They would always have a go at her for anything she said or did. She has always been left out of shopping trips & movies & just girl get togethers. There is about 10 girls in this group & she has been friends with them since kindergarten & being at a very small school it is not always easy to change groups. Her biggest supporters have been the boys but the other girls don’t like that either.

It has absolutely broken my heart and I always say to her what have you done, I don’t immediately think that she is totally innocent, however it always ends up that way. I have also been told by other children things that have happened and I have witnessed them treating her badly. And as a mother it nearly kills me. Only once about 8 months ago she told me that the girls would be happier if she was dead. I can’t tell you what that did to me.

It’s really hard to find help & people that will listen as I don’t want to continually sound like I’m complaining, & because of it I have completely distanced myself from the school, parents & anything else that may bring me in contact with these people.

I thank you for taking the courage & time to write that article, she sat down last night & read it & commented on how beautiful you are.

Should I get the opportunity at Aussies this year I would love for you to meet her, I know how hectic it is & would not interfere with your competing.

I can’t wait for her to start High School & hope that it is a much happier experience for her, even though yours was not.

I wish you nothing but success & the happiness that you deserve.

Answer

Thankyou for writing to me, although it makes me so sad that your beautiful daughter is being treated so badly by her peers.

I know from my personal experiences that my sport and my family were my rock when things were tough for me at school. Through the love and support you and your family give, she will hopefully get through the nastiness and isolation that she feels at the moment. As it was for me, I sincerely hope she will be much stronger emotionally and wiser for the experience, as she moves on through her teenage years.

It would be a huge pleasure for me to meet her at Aussies. Just drop me an email closer the event to confirm you will be there and what sort of cap/cosies to look out for. However, in the meantime if you could send me a postal address I will send a couple of little things to help brighten her day.

All my love and wishing her many years of happiness ahead.

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I really need your help it would be fantastic if you could help me.Well I got my brothers old board and I’m getting it re spraid to a design I want which is yours and because you sold your old board I don’t know your design if you could sent me a photo of your design it would be massively appreciated one more question what brand should I get it done with who do you recommend it would be even better if that company had the sticker with your Signature on it really love it if you could help

Answer

My boards are designed and made by Xcel Surfcraft (Shayne McIntosh). Because of a sponsor arrangement with Coates Hire (Australia) my surf craft for this season will be in the colour orange. I know this sounds pretty plain but with my sponsor stickers and some silver stripping etc I think the craft look pretty special.

I am not really sure whether Xcel do resprays and you will have to inquire directly with them.

All the best of luck for the season coming up

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Hi Courtney I’m your biggest fan I know everyone else probably says that but I really am because I am getting your board design and I wear a pink ribbon in my hair and also I have lots of posters in my room of you and I just like you to answer if you see this. You know I used to be called the golden girl because I do surf for grange and I’m also the best at swim in my age group I even beat the boys and once at state titles I got three gold medals all in water events your my true inspiration and I’m dying to meet you but we can’t come to Queensland. If your in SA can you come visit grange slsc everyone would love that ohh and one more thing when I travelled to VIC to do wave warriors I saw ali day and Zane Holmes and Ali asked me who I go for in the series and I said Courtney Hancock and he said yeah you always have to go for Courtney. P.S your really pretty and beautiful

Answer

Thankyou so much for your email, it is really an inspiration for me to know that I have such fantastic fans.

Some of the things you said reminded me of when I was a Nipper and Karla Gilbert was my idol and I had posters on my wall and I followed her when we watched the iron men and women on the TV. When I moved to the Gold Coast to follow my career as an Ironwoman I met Karla and we are now very good friends and she is my mentor.

From what you have told me you are obviously very talented and love racing, and when I was your age I always tried to beat the boys too. It is really good that you are a strong swimmer because you have to have a very strong swim leg to do well in Ironwoman racing.

Keep up the enthusiasm Olivia, learn from every race you go in, remain humble whether you win or lose and listen to your coaches. I would really love to hear how you are going during the season if you have time to write again. Also is you would like to send me your address I will send you a small gift.

Keep surfing and smiling

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