Hayden Goldsack has refused to let second and third degree burns end his sporting endeavours.
This story starts way back when Hayden was just four years old and living in Stratford, Taranaki.
While stirring some soup on the stove, his shirt caught alight and went up in flames - inflicting burns to 60% of his body.
Multiple skin graft surgeries and treatments have left Hayden with a body that functions but remains badly scarred on his torso and arms.
Over time Hayden got more and more into running, with his legs free of burns it was an empowering form of exercise.
But around three years ago he got sick of just pounding the pavement and decided to conquer his fear of swimming after finding inspiration from competitors taking on the Xterra race in Rotorua.
"I had to conquer my fears in and around swimming and my really bad technique. I swam like a manhole cover,” he says.
"It was really challenging in the respect that underneath both arms I’ve got second degree burns and even though I’ve had multiple skin grafts in that area I’ve got lots of ropey tissue.
"I’ve really had to work on stretching out so that I can even get my arms above my head let alone get a decent stroke.”
On his first visit to the local pool Hayden could only make it half a length before running out of breath. It didn’t help that the constricted skin around his chest limits his lung intake.
But with each session his swimming continued to improve, until he was confident enough to take on a race.
After some local tri events Hayden enlisted some help from coach Walter Thorburn, who trained him through to a time of 11 hours and 10 minutes at his first ever Ironman New Zealand last year.
So far this season Hayden has finished 14th in his age group at the Taupo Half Ironman and 21st at the Port of Tauranga Half.
While disappointed with his 21st placing in Tauranga, his time is all the more impressive considering he had slashed his heel on some mussels while snorkelling a week earlier and had to battle through the run.
Hayden’s girlfriend is also a keen triathlete, and finished fifth in her age group at Port of Tauranga to qualify for the world champs.
That has given him more motivation to one day wear the black jersey and represent New Zealand himself.
"My long term goal is to wear the silver fern on my chest. Not too many people ever get to do that and it’s getting pretty close.”
In the immediate future Hayden is preparing for his second Ironman New Zealand in just a few more weeks.
"Nothing I’ve experienced in life compares to running down that finishing chute at ironman and you can’t really describe that feeling.
"It empowers you to do bigger and better things both in and out of the sport. That’s the most rewarding thing – you achieve in one area of your life and it flows on.”
Hayden also does a huge amount of work with burns victim kids in New Zealand and helped set up a burns camp for children at Hidden Valley with the Burn Support Charitable Trust.
The fact that he is out competing in triathlons enhances the message and acts as a practical example that anything is achievable.
"It’s just inspiring for them that even though they’re disabled and, as some may see it disfigured, it’s not the end of life. There are still exciting things they can do and achieve.
"All of a sudden it gives them a little goal and they start seeing themselves a little bit differently and that’s just so great to see.”
