Two years ago, Riviera boat builder Adam Davidson couldn’t even swim 100 metres, now he is on his way to fulfilling a long-held ambition to compete in the 2010 International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Olympic Distance Triathlon Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Adam Davidson

The 27-year-old will compete in the multi-sport endurance event held this month, which involves a 1.5 kilometre swim, 40 kilometre cycle and 10 kilometre run.

Adam will feel a great sense of pride and achievement when he dons his green and gold racing uniform and lines up at the start line.

“I have spent the past 18 months preparing and training for this event – my main goal was to make it to the championships and I have achieved that, so anything else is a bonus, but for myself personally, I would like to be in the top 10 Aussies over the line with a time of two hours and five minutes depending on the course,” Adam said.

This is a bittersweet moment for Adam who attributes most of his success in this sport to his late training partner, Renee Nicholls.

Renee passed away earlier this year, following a training accident in northern NSW but her encouragement and motivational words have remained with Adam during his gruelling training sessions.

Adam has a tattoo of a star with a teardrop on his arm which he has dedicated to Renee.

“Renee had the Southern Cross tattooed on the side of her stomach so every time we were swimming I could see Renee’s tattoo and she would be pushing me to go harder, she was very motivational,” Adam said.

“Riviera has given me a lot of support by allowing me to take three hours leave every Wednesday morning so that I can fit in another big training session.”

Adam will return the level of support by displaying the Riviera logo on his uniform and bike.  Adam’s uniform features the Southern Cross on his left leg and as a tribute to Renee, Adam has had his star tattoo printed on his right leg.

As a youngster Adam played Aussie Rules and then went on to try his hand at body building.

It was only after a friend suggested he try Triathlon that he took the plunge and joined the Southport Triathlon Club.

“I was looking for a way to push my body beyond its natural limits and I had been going to the gym for about four years when Triathlon was introduced, I have not looked back since,” Adam said.

“The personal challenge that Triathlon delivers is what it is all about for me, mentally and physically.

“I remember that first swim session – I couldn’t swim 100 metres, I was knackered but the Southport Tri Club had a great bunch of guys there who made me feel welcome.

“I had never done any swimming before so I was in my football shorts while everyone else had their budgie smugglers on.  The coach asked me if I would be coming back and suggested I ditch the football shorts.

“After a few tough swim sessions, something clicked and I thought I could give this a good crack.”

Adam trains on average about 20 to 25 hours every week and this usually involves three swim sessions including one open water, three bike sessions usually three to seven hours per session, three run sessions from 45 minutes to two hours per session and one mechanical pilates session per week. He said the support he received from Riviera made a huge difference to his training schedule and has helped him reach his goal of competing in the 2010 ITU World Olympic Distance Triathlon Championships.

“Riviera has allowed me to have three hours leave every Wednesday morning so that I can fit in another big training session whether it’s a ride, run or swim,” he said.

“It’s just unbelievable and I am so glad that Riviera is behind me.”

Adam joined Riviera in 2004 and works as a Boat Builder in Fit Out Two.  He works a 40 hour week from 6am until 4.30pm which makes it difficult to fit in a morning training session.

However, working in the lifestyle industry, Adam is fortunate to work a four day week so every Friday, Saturday and Sunday he trains, as well as every night after work.

“My wife, Jenny, is also involved in the sport so she knows exactly what pain I am putting myself through at times and she is just a fantastic support.”

Adam and Jenny met when they were in high school at Sale College in Victoria.  They moved to the Gold Coast five years ago to make a life of their own and they have been married for three years.

Adam says he has always been self-motivated but the support from his wife and family has helped him through some tough times including the recent passing of his training partner Renee Nicholls.

“She was the world champion for Ironman which is a 3.8 kilometre swim, 180 kilometre ride and 42 kilometre run (marathon).

“She was just an amazing person, she was so tiny but she had such a big heart and every single person that came in contact with her knew how strong she was.”

Sadly, Renee passed away following an accident during a training session in northern NSW in February.

“I feel she has given me some strength to get through every day,” Adam said.

“Renee was an awesome training partner and she helped me to stay focused.”

Renee was not only Adam’s training partner, she was his best mate.

And while Adam won’t be able to share his success with his late training partner, Renee, he said her advice, encouragement and dedication to the sport has inspired him to achieve his goals.  He also said he wouldn’t have been able to achieve this goal without the support of his wife, Jenny, who will be cheering him on when he competes in Hungary.

Adam attributes his success to the support of his wife, family and work colleagues.

“I believe if you have got a goal and you are that passionate about it, you will achieve it.  I have got my wife that is 110 per cent behind me, my family and the guys at Riviera that keep me motivated as well.”

Riviera offers 20 different models from 36 to 85 feet across four model series Flybridge, Sport Yacht, Offshore Express and Motor Yachts.