Power in Persistence: Tiarnee Massie’s Comeback Story

A broken paddle. A huge setback. And one powerful comeback. Tiarnee Massie’s Coolangatta Gold story is all about grit, grace, and refusing to give up. 

Keep reading to find out more. 

Tiarnee, take us back to that moment - what went through your mind when your paddle snapped at the start of the race?

Honestly, I think I was just in shock. I couldn’t quite believe what had happened. I knew that I had to refocus as quickly as possibly and lock into my race plan.  

How did you regroup so quickly and find the focus to keep pushing through?

When my sister handed me a paddle, I had a moment where I said, “I don’t know if I can do this,” and she just said, “You can. Go!” That really snapped me back into the moment. It allowed me to feel what I was feeling for a second, then shift completely into race mode. From that point, I just focused on catching up and passing as many people as I could.

Finishing 7th after such a setback is incredible - what do you think kept you going mentally?

My dad kept saying to me, “This is the race of your life,” and I just kept that in the back of my mind. I believed that if I could overcome something like that and still finish strong, it would be a race I’d remember forever. I wanted to prove to myself what was possible and I know that resilience is going to carry me forward in my career.

In a race as tough as the Coolangatta Gold, how important is mindset compared to physical preparation?

I really believe your mindset is the most important aspect of preparing for the Gold. The Coolangatta Gold is hours of constant battling, not just physically, but mentally too. Your body can only take you so far; it’s your mind that keeps you pushing when everything starts to hurt. That is why I love the Gold. It is a true test of mental resilience.  

What was that feeling like when you finally crossed the finish line, knowing everything you’d just overcome?

It was such an overwhelming mix of emotions. I honestly can’t remember the last time I cried after a race, but when I crossed the line and saw my family and friends, I just broke down. I gave myself space to feel all the emotions that I had to put to the side in order to push through the race on my own.

What lessons did that race teach you about yourself, both as an athlete and a person?

It taught me that I’m stronger than I think I am, both physically and mentally. It showed me that I can rise above setbacks and keep moving forward, no matter how tough things get.

How do you usually deal with challenges or things going wrong in competition -  do you have a strategy or mindset you fall back on?

It definitely took me a few years to learn how to handle things going wrong. In our sport, the ocean is unpredictable, it’s constantly changing and never truly fair. You can do everything right, and it will still find a way to test you. Over time, I’ve learned to adapt and be resilient. My approach now is to take things as they come, let myself feel the emotion for a moment, then reset and focus on executing the rest of my race. I have also learnt to focus on myself, my lane and my race. It is the only thing I can control.

Looking ahead, how has that experience changed the way you approach your training or racing now?

I’m using that experience as a reminder of my strength and resilience. It’s something I’ll carry with me, not just in training and racing, but in all parts of my life. It is a secret weapon.

If you could share one piece of advice with younger athletes about staying composed when things don’t go to plan, what would it be?

Focus on what you can control, your effort, your attitude, and your response. Take a breath, reset, and keep going. One moment doesn’t define you, but how you respond to it does.