Liam Blair: It’s a name you might have heard over the PA or the livestream at a Surf Life Saving event, and now it’s a name that sits alongside the once 13–year–old Olympic legend of swimming, Ian ‘Thorpedo’ Thorpe AM.
Why? Because young Liam Blair from Swansea Belmont SLSC, who took home a tremendous haul of gold medals from the recent State and Australian Championships, has just broken a record held for 30 years by Thorpedo, with a time of 1:59.74 in the Under 14 Boys 200m freestyle at the NSW CHS Swimming Championships in Sydney.
So, for a little inspiration to keep up your training as the ocean temperatures and mornings get a little cooler, we thought we’d share some of Liam’s well-beyond-his-years insights as a 13-year-old who has set himself on a very special path.
Here’s our 2026 capsule Q&A with Liam Blair:
Liam, a huge congratulations from your Surf Life Saving family. You’ve had a massive year of achievements so far, what have been the biggest moments for you.
I’ve had a huge six weeks. Starting with State Champs at my home beach, Swansea Belmont, in March, which was a standout for me. I won the swim, board and iron events for the second year in a row, which was really exciting.
It was also my first year being old enough to compete at Aussies. I’d been waiting so long to race at that level so to come away with two individual gold medals, two team wins with my club mates and a silver team medal. It was honestly way more than I expected.
I knew I’d trained hard all season, and I felt confident in my skills and fitness, however the surf can be relentless, so you just never really know till the race itself.
After Aussies, I came home for a week of school before heading back away for the National Age Swimming Championships. It was another first for me, being old enough to compete on the national stage over eight days of racing.
I finished top three in all my events, including winning three individual National Titles. And it doesn’t stop because now school swimming is starting to ramp up again.
Breaking Ian Thorpe’s record is definitely up there as one of my biggest moments so far.
How many State and Aussie titles in Surf Life Saving and swimming have you won altogether this year?
NSW Surf Life Saving Titles – Individual titles are 5 swim, 3 Iron person, 2 board and in teams we have board relay, all age board relay, board rescue and a swim title.
Aussies – Individually I have a swim and iron person titles and in the teams we have board rescue and Cameron.
Swimming NSW – I still hold multiple NSW State and NSW Allcomers records from u/10boys to now and I also have a QLD Allcomers record for the u/11 boys 200m freestyle.
What was and where was the swimming event this week?
This was a school event. The NSW Combined High School Sports Association (NSWCHSSA) swimming championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.
How much training did you put in for it? How does it change once the surf season is over?
Training through summer is very different to my training in winter. Summer I can only fit in 3-4 swim sessions along with two board training, iron training and normal Nipper days. Once the season has finished, I try to get a run session in a week with one of the coaches from Swansea Belmont and increase my swim sessions to 4-5 a week. The hard work is done through winter for my surf season.
You broke a pretty impressive record, did you know who Ian Thorpe was [laughs]? It’s a very special and inspirational achievement.
Of course I know who Ian is. Doesn’t everyone? He’s such an inspiration to me, achieving what he did at such a young age and throughout his entire career. I think all young athletes from all sports would know who he is.
Was it something you were trying to achieve at the meet? If not, what were your goals for that meet?
Yes, this record was my goal for the meet. I’d been thinking about it for almost 12 months. The year before I broke the age record for the same event, so straight away I wanted to know what the next record was and what time I had to beat. When I found out it was Ian Thorpe’s record, I really wanted to go after it.
I’ve been training with my swim coach, Paul Sharman, from Coughlan’s Swim Centre, and we’ve been focusing a lot on my pacing and skills. Every time I raced the 200m freestyle that year, I could feel myself getting closer and closer to Ian’s record. On the day I executed my race plan how I wanted.
What are your goals in sport, where do you want to be in five years?
Most importantly still enjoying my sport. Selection into Pathways squads and teams representing Australia would be the goal for the next five years.
What part has Swansea Belmont played in your success?
The training and coaching Swansea Belmont surf club provides is amazing. My dad [Josh Blair] is coach of the Nippers board squad and also runs the iron sessions. He can be pretty tough on me sometimes and gives me some brutal feedback, but I know it’s only to help me become a better athlete. He kind of knows what he’s talking about!
I believe as long as your coach is giving you feedback, whether it’s positive or telling you where you need to improve, it means they care and want you to be the best you can be. Having that support and feedback around you really helps to push yourself to improve.
You’re already such an inspiration to kids coming after you. What’s something helpful or a tip or message to 10-year-old Liam or young kids dreaming of what you’re currently achieving?
Consistency is the key. Everyone has days where they don’t feel like getting up early or going to training, and that’s totally normal. Pushing through on those hard days is what makes a difference. If you skip the tough days, it only makes the next ones even harder.
Setting goals is really important too. They can be training goals, carnival goals or even season goals. Having something to work towards makes swimming more enjoyable and gives you a reason to keep improving.
For me, I set goals for every training session so I stay focused on the important things like my technique and skills. That’s where races are really won. Not just by swimming fast down the straight, but by executing your skills and technique perfectly.
What’s a message to your future self about your dreams and goals and how hard you’re working?
I hope you are proud of how far you have come not only as an athlete but as a person. Remember your consistent effort and dedication throughout your younger years have got you to where you are today. I hope it was all worth it and your goals were achieved.
Saturday 16 May 2026