Kaitlin 'Katy' Rees

How do you stay motivated and push yourself in training?

The Swansea Belmont squad is such a talented group of athletes making it such a great environment to stay motivated and push myself at each training session.

Many athletes have pre-game rituals that help them get into the zone. What are some of your personal pre-game rituals or routines that you believe help you get in the zone before hitting the beach or pool?

The night before a carnival I always make sure I have my Engine bag packed, so I’m relaxed and ready to go in the morning. Another pre-race ritual is getting a gelato for dessert the night before.

Reflecting on your career so far, what would you consider as the most memorable or defining moment?

The most memorable moment of my career so far would definitely be winning the Summer of Surf Golden Ticket Ironwomen race at North Bondi and getting to race in the open iron final with ‘REES’ on my swimmers.

Are there any specific achievements or milestones that you are particularly proud of and that you feel have significantly impacted your journey as an athlete?

Winning the u/15 board rescue at Aussies in Perth is an achievement I am so proud of, as I got to do it with my best friend making so special.

Beyond your athletic pursuits, do you have any hobbies or passions that might surprise people?

I danced competitively for 10 years before recently deciding to purely focus on SLS, but I still love to get in the studio whenever there’s an opportunity.

How do you balance your intense training and competition schedule with personal interests outside of your sport?

I’m still trying to find a balance but I’m super lucky that I get to train everyday with some of my closest friends, who understand the commitment SLS requires. But I still set some time on the weekends to do things outside of sport that I enjoy, like going for a surf, or just hang out with friends.

What are your top 3 ENGINE products (either for racing or training)?

Santorini’s are my fav swimmers, they come in so many amazing colours and are super comfy for both training and racing. Cyclone Waterproof jacket is perfect for wet weather carnivals, the rain runs straight off the jacket!!

Engine Backpack Pro fits all of my training and racing essentials.