Q&A with Ali Day

By Andrew Lauterstein, Director of ENGINE & Triple Olympic Medallist

Ali Day is one of the greatest endurance athletes Australia has ever produced. A multiple Australian Ironman Champion, eleven-time Coolangatta Gold winner, and recent Surf Life Saving Australia Hall of Fame inductee, Ali’s name has become synonymous with consistency, humility, and grit.

Across a career spanning more than a decade at the top, he’s faced setbacks, injuries, and rivalries - yet continues to lead with class and perspective. Away from the sand, Ali is a devoted husband and father, a business owner, and now part of the ENGINE family with his own signature range.

I caught up with Ali to talk about his incredible career, his final season of racing, the new “Ali Day” collection, and what life looks like after professional sport.

Andrew (AL):

Ali, thanks for making time. Let’s start at the beginning – you’ve had a phenomenal career. In your view, what have been the defining moments?

Ali (AD):

Thanks mate - great to chat. I’d say one defining moment was being a nipper at Kiama Surf Life Saving Club on the NSW South Coast, just loving the beach and competition. Then moving to the Sunshine Coast, turning professional in my approach and realising that you can make this sport your life.
Another was winning my first Coolangatta Gold in 2012 and knowing that the choices and commitment I had made had been worth it.
And I guess most recently, being told I’d be inducted into the Surf Life Saving Australia Hall of Fame really brought things full circle.

AL: Talking about the Coolangatta Gold – you brought home your 11th crown in the inaugural shortened format, the 25.6. What was that race like for you?

AD:
That race was something else. The new format - shorter and far more intense - made everything feel different. The run transitions between the ski, swim, and board legs made it hard to find a rhythm, and there was no room for error through the break. The soft sand transitions were brutal on the legs, but it was great to see more spectators right there on the beach.

That final long run was a grind. I had doubts coming in about how I’d go with the revised format, because the rhythm you get in the traditional 40-kilometre version just isn’t there in this one. I knew the guys were chasing hard, so I had to dig deep in that last leg. It was one of the toughest Golds I’ve ever done - and I’ve done a few!

Bevi and CT were incredible all day, and it honestly felt special to cross the line one last time. Eleven wins. That’s it for me - the perfect way to finish.

AL: Knowing it was your last season, how did you approach training in the off-season?

Did anything change in your mindset or how you planned to race?

AD:
I was just extra grateful to be doing what I love every day, surrounded by an incredible team of family, friends, training partners, and sponsors. I’ve met so many amazing people along the way, and I wouldn’t be where I am without them.

When you know it’s your final year, things shift a little. You accept it’s the closing chapter. For me, there was a sense of relief - no pressure to think about what’s next, just giving everything to the present. As the Hall of Fame announcement said, I can “walk away with my head held high.”

In training for the Gold, I still worked hard and raced all-in, but I also made sure to spend more time with my family and appreciate how lucky I’ve been. It became part of the plan, make this last year count, but enjoy it more.

AL: Your family must have played a big role. How do you balance family life, racing, sponsorship commitments, and running your business, ACTV?

AD:
Absolutely. My wife Kel and our kids are the reason I push so hard at training and when racing. At home, it’s all about being present and being the best dad I can be. When the season wraps up, I love the simple things - car trips, music up loud, all of us singing along. Those moments mean more than any medal.

I’m lucky to have a great team at ACTV who understand the training demands and allow me to adjust my workload around it. It’s been a rewarding way to channel my work ethic into something beyond sport, and it helps take my mind off racing when I need that balance.

I’ve also been fortunate to have long-term sponsors who’ve supported me from the very beginning - ENGINE, Shaw and Partners, and a few others who feel more like family than partners. My wife does an amazing job managing my social media, and I try to give back as much value as I can by wearing the gear proudly, showing up for events, and supporting their initiatives.

AD:
Athletes can expect quality, durability, and designs that fit surf lifesaving, ironman racing, and training off the beach too. It’s a simple, functional range built around what I use every day, with colours and design touches that I really love - and a few nice ideas from Kel as well.

I wanted the range to reflect my journey -  work ethic, humility, and community. It’s gear made to perform but also to represent those values. I’m proud to wear it, and I hope younger athletes feel like they’re part of something when they wear it too.

AL: What lessons from your sport career apply now - either as a coach, a brand ambassador, or in everyday life?

AD:

Several come to mind:

• Consistency matters more than the big leaps -  Every session counts.
• Respect for the process -  Recovery, discipline, good habits
• Humility. Even after many wins - there’s always something to new to learn and improve
• Purpose beyond yourself - For me, that means giving back, supporting your family, friends and community.

When you keep those front of mind, sport becomes tool to bigger things, not just medals.

AL: Finally, what’s next for you - sport-wise, personally, and with ENGINE? 

AD:
Sport-wise, I’m stepping back from professional racing but I’ll stay involved in the sport - helping others, mentoring, and giving back where I can.

Personally, it’s about more family time, more experiences, and a little less clock-chasing and structure. After so many years of strict routines, it’ll be nice to have some space to enjoy life at a different pace.

With ENGINE, I’m excited to launch the new collection and keep building the culture we’ve created. I want to support athletes who want to do more than just compete. There’s another big year ahead with the Iron Series and the launch of the Iron Jammer 4, so it’s an exciting time.

I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, proud of where the sport is at, and really looking forward to staying involved and watching the next generation come through.