Just back from New Zealand where I had a blast white water rafting, clay target shooting, horse riding, kayaking, sailing and doing an 11 day mountaineering course.
What a fantastic place New Zealand is!
On a glacier in New Zealand
My mum flew over the my last 3 days together and we visited the South Island town of Akaroa – had a ball, including an amazing kayak amongst dolphins.
Next up is skiing in Japan with my big sister Laura and little brother Harry. Been training on a trampoline to get the core fit!
Rather thrilled to be announced today as Telstra’s Local Hero here on the Gold Coast.
The Burleigh Heads store, with manager Kevin Mailer leading the team, have been great to me with providing some incredible products including a Motorola Xoom tablet.
It’s absolutely amazing.
Kevin hands over the brilliant Motorola Xoom
Fantastic Support Of The Local Community By Telstra
Regardless that it’s me who’s benefiting from the sponsorship, it’s really great that Telstra has gotten behind their local communities to support. They do a lot and this is a wonderful way to continue that.
Telstra have also provided me with some cash to spread around to my favourite sporting groups, so I’ll be doing that shortly too.
Thanks again to Kevin and the entire Telstra for the support.
I ran the 42.2 km Brisbane Marathon yesterday with my brother Harry and our mate Harry (common name!).
At the end I had a chat with the legendary Marathon Man – Trent Morrow – who has run a staggering 40+ marathons in the last 40 months – including the 256km Marathon des Sables through the Sahara Desert in 2008 and the 90km Comrades Marathon in South Africa in 2010.
I’ve just (yesterday at midday) finished my 1,200 km solo run around Tasmania to raise some money and awareness of Big brothers Big Sisters of Australia.
I’m heading to Tasmania at the end of next week to see if I can run around the island – 1,200 km of it – in 27 days.
That’s more than a marathon a day.
I’m looking forward to it. In particular running through the hundreds of kilometres of wilderness trails. I have just found some yummy Beef Jerky that I am looking forward to trying while I am running.
The training has been interesting to say the least and I’m keen to test myself on lonely days running and running.
I’m not making a big deal of the fundraising – I figure Australian’s have been hammered this year, and incredibly generous, with the many disasters around the place.
Jack was nominated by the good folk at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Australia for his community work which has included:
Last year, at 15 years of age, Jack became the youngest person ever to cycle across Australia when he rode from Perth to Surfers Paradise for charity – 4,500 kms in just 30 days – raising $25,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Australia.
Other Charity & Community Work
His charity work also includes the donation and management of the web site for charity cycle www.sydneytosurfers.org.au, a site that has helped to raise in excess of $200,000 this year for disadvantaged youth.
Jack ran the full 2009 Gold Coast marathon and the grueling 96 km Kokoda Challenge in July for charity.
He volunteers two weeks of his school holidays each year to a camp for disabled children.
He speaks to Scouting groups on the importance of regular exercise and doing your very best.
“…A Special Young Man…”
As legendary Australian cyclist Robbie McEwen said about Jack’s efforts:
“Jack Sinclair is a special young man, who through personal sacrifice, dedication, perseverance and guts is giving his all to support other young Australians.
As a teenager it is easy to be consumed by your interests, wondering what the world is going to do for you.
Jack is different, he’s thinking about and DOING what he can for others in need.”
Winner Announced Thursday November 19
The winner of the Young Australian of the Year Award is announced on Thursday November 19, 2009.
I’ve had a few people ask me for a training update:
All going great. We’re cycling anywhere between 50-100km most days. Some days hills, some days nice and flat.
Mel and I came home today to find a note from Jack that he’d gone for a ride (which he often does by himself). We zipped out and caught him on a nice climb he does when he only has an hour or so.
Here’s the elevation profile (towards the end of the video you get a good sense of just how steep the climb is):
In September 2008, 15 year old Jack Sinclair and his dad Brendon, will cycle 4,500 kms across Australia (from Perth to Surfers Paradise) in just 30 days.
The ride will be used to raise to help raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Australia - a fantastic organisation who match up mentors to children who need a positive role model. Let's give a helping hand.
Ride Ambassador is Robbie McEwen
Cycling legend Robbie McEwen is our Ride Ambassador and said:
"For a young man of just 15 years of age to undertake this huge journey with the discipline and commitment he is showing is inspiring."