Destined to SOAR.
This interview series is aimed at celebrating, recognising and promoting the incredible talent and ferocious courage of our young women of tomorrow.
Let's recognise the magnificent effort of girls' in sport across all codes!
Today our interview is with youth sensation and Ella Trip, state swimmer and musician. Soar Active had the privilege to catch up with Ella and chat about her love for swimming and music.
1. Ella, tell us about your early life?
Ella: I spent a lot of my early life with my family. Most days l would go to my grandparents house with my cousins and we would swim in the pool, dance, sing, and play games. When l was two l had a Blue Cattle Dog and l named him Woof, l also started dance lessons that year which l continued to do until l was ten.
Although l don’t do lessons anymore l still dance at home because it helps me de-stress and makes me happy. l also really enjoyed preschool because l had friends to play with, there was so many fun things to do, and the teachers were really nice. I also started gymnastics in kindergarten which l continued to do for the next few years.
2. So how did you discover swimming and piano?
Ella: When l was younger l never liked the water, l was afraid of it. My mum would put me in swimming lessons and l would cry because l was scared. I gave swimming a break until l got older and after having a summer in my nan and pops pool, l realised l enjoyed swimming and there was nothing to be afraid of. When l was in YR4 (9yrs old) l went in my first swimming carnival, I went okay but didn’t make it to zone. Once the carnival ended l had a conversation with my parents and explained how much fun l had and that l wanted to train for next year with the goal of making it through to zone.
I’ve always loved music, when l was younger l would dance and sing around the house and make my family watch my performances that l made up. My grandparents had a piano at their house that my nan would play. When l was eight my nan explained to me that it was her mothers piano and that she had been playing since she was my age. I asked her if she could teach me how to play and after practicing all the time. I finally got the hang of not only playing the piano but also reading music.
3. What was your next step?
Ella: I started training more often and moved up levels. My mum then enrolled me in a swim squad and l worked hard for my goal for the rest of the year. When the next year rolled around, I made it to zone after all my hard work and then made it my goal for next year to get to regionals. And I did.
After l understood how to read music play the piano, l got a keyboard for Christmas. Mum then enrolled me in piano lessons and I've been playing since then. When I was ten, I got a piano for my birthday that is now in my room and l have loved playing it since.
That same year l decided to join a guitar group at school, which helped me understand music even better than before. I can read different kinds of music and transfer it to different instruments which also helped me learn the ukulele.
I now own four different types of guitars, two ukuleles, a piano and two keyboards.
Having the ability to play an instrument has helped me calm down through tough times, release my emotions and also helps me de-stress. l encourage anyone and everyone to give things a go, no matter how hard it is, you never know where it could lead you.
4. How do you balance your competitive training and managing school?
Ellie: My school is across the road from the swim centre so after training in the morning I get ready and have breakfast at the pool with my friends and then we walk to school. Having the option to swim in the morning is really helpful because it frees up my afternoons for homework or other sports and musical interests.
5. What do you do in your downtime?
Ella: l play my instruments, listen to music, watch TV, play with my dog Marley, go for bike rides and hang out at the park with my friends.
6. What makes you feel happy, brave, and strong?
Ella: My friends, family, Marley, swimming, touch football and music all make me feel happy, strong, and brave.
7. Tell us about a special moment in the last year?
Ella: One of my most special moments in the last year was when l made it to the NSWCHS State Championships which is a goal that l have been aiming towards for a long time now. I made it through for 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle which l was very proud of myself for.
l didn’t make it through to the next level but getting there was an achievement in itself. The experience was also something l will never forget, I enjoyed looking through the memorabilia while waiting for my race. In the memorabilia it had photos of Olympic aquatic athletes, the podium from the Sydney Olympics in 2000, signed t-shirts and swim caps as well as hand prints and footprints of Olympic swimmers.
8. What is your ultimate goal?
Ellie: My ultimate goal is to make it to the Olympics, Commonwealth Games or Australian Age Nationals for backstroke, butterfly or the individual medley. But for now, my goal is to keep training, keep a positive mindset, continue attending swim competitions, work on my technique and focus on the next step. After all, it’s a marathon not a sprint.
9. What's your favourite attribute about yourself?
Ella: I like that l am determined and that l set my mind to my dreams even if they seem big. I also like that l am kind, caring, empathetic and always up for a challenge.
10. Favourite song on repeat right now?
Ella: I cannot pick one favourite song at the moment but some songs that l have been listening to are Midnight rain by Taylor Swift, Satellite by Harry Styles, My Strange Addiction by Billie Eilish and Naive by The Kooks. However, my ultimate pump up song that l listen to on the way to swimming competitions, touch football games or any other kind of sport is Loose Yourself by Eminem.
11. What has swimming taught you about life?
Ella: A few things swimming has taught me is that life is full of lows and highs but that doesn’t mean you stop trying, it’s all a process so just believe in yourself, hard work pays off, and you don’t always have to win it’s just about doing your best. Even though swimming is an individual sport you still support your team mates and your club, always.
12. What would you say to other young females about following their dreams?
Ella: No dream is too big, everyone's dream is different but they are all as special. You have to start at the bottom to get to the top. Be prepared to put in the hard work, it’s not always easy but it’s worth it in the end. You might as well give it a red hot crack now then regret not trying later.
As l say to myself when l am up on the blocks, just go for it, what have you got to lose? Be kind to yourself, listen to your body, and rest when you need to. It’s a marathon not a sprint. You’ve got this!
Follow Ellas inspiring journey on Instagram
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