Wollongong surfer Nic Squiers 'pumped' for ISA World Games

Wollongong surfer Nic Squiers is determined to make the most of a rare chance to represent Australia when the ISA World Games begin in Punta Rocas, Peru next week.

A seven-year veteran of the World Qualifying Series (WQS), Squiers has competed in his fair share of global events but doing so in national colours will be a first for the 31-year-old.

‘'To be able to put on the green and gold for my sport that I love, it’s a great honour,’’ Squiers said.

‘‘I’ve competed for myself through WQS events but nothing in the green and gold. Now that I’ve got my own uniform, I’ve got the green and gold it’s a pretty cool thing.

‘‘Every sportsperson in every sport ... to have the honour to put on the green and gold outfit and compete for your country, regardless of what sport it is you’d be pretty chuffed.

‘‘There’s a little bit more weight on my shoulders but I’m pumped.’’

The chance to represent Australia came following victory at the Australian Surf Festival, his first national title, in August. 

With his time remaining in the sport limited, Squiers knows the World Games may be his last chance to bring home a world title.

‘‘I haven’t got 10 years like a lot of people have, I’ve probably got three or four years left in me,’’ he said.

‘‘I really hit my stride with surfing much later than a lot of people.

‘‘With that comes maturity and wisdom. There’s a lot of young kids who have big dollar sponsorships but they’re loving life and they’re juts happy doing it. For me, being a bit older, I feel like I have to take every chance as it comes.

‘‘It’s not just fun and games, it’s something I love doing and I want to get results.’’

Squiers will have to trump a hot field of WQS regulars to take out the tournament with competitors from 21 countries to feature in the event.

‘‘I’ve got a lot of friends who compete on the WQS from South America, Argentina, Peru places like that, and they’re all in it,’’ Squiers said.

‘‘It’s a big event and there’s a lot riding on it.

‘‘There’s a person who comes out at the end with a world title. It’s not the ASP tour but for guys who aren’t on that tour it’s the best.’’

He’s a self-confessed late bloomer but Squiers is confident he’s peaking at the right time.

‘‘Confidence is a massive thing with surfing and I’m more confident than I’ve probably ever been,’’ he said.

‘‘To be able to go in the water and know I don’t have to worry, that I do have that confidence, is a big weight off my shoulders.

‘‘The next 10 days, from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep, I’ll be doing everything possible to get in the right rhythm and give myself the best chance.’’