Shane’s life has paralleled her swimming. It has been a never-ending series of tumble turns, each involving a complete change of direction and each leading, inexorably, towards a new goal.
Born on 23 November, 1956, in Sydney, Australia, Shane moved to Fiji with her family at the age of 18 months. By the age of six she was a competent swimmer.
Her father’s job with Pan American Airlines involved many moves, and Shane attended nine different schools in Fiji, Australia and the USA. The Gould family settled in Sydney in 1970 where Shane was trained by leading swim
… More coaches Forbes and Ursula Carlile and their assistant Tom Green.
Returning a national heroine, constant media attention created pressure on the Gould family and a much-publicised conflict between her father and her coach. Feeling confused and overwhelmed by her high profile as a teenage sporting prodigy, she took refuge and meaning in God, surfing and an alternative lifestyle, leading to marriage at the age of 18.
In effect, Shane turned her back on ‘Shane Gould the swimmer’. Voluntarily adopting a natural and simple lifestyle with her husband, Neil Innes, on a farm near the town of Margaret River in Western Australia, Shane developed a love for horses and a passion for the environment. The birth of four children in five years from 1978 to 1983 saw another "tumble turn" into the role of mother and educator.
She taught natural horsemanship, women’s learn-to-surf classes, and 16 seasons of learn-to-swim. Competitive urges were satisfied by unusual events. In 1993 and 1994 she was the WA state horse ploughing champion. Shane has always set high standards for excellence and technique accuracy. What is most important to her is the ‘feel’ in a sport. Feel for the horse, feel of the water, feel of the ocean’s power. Harmony and connection with the water or the animal is a meditative thing for Shane that is a practical outworking of her reverence for God and connection to nature.
It is obviously hereditary. Shane’s four children (now young working adults) are adventure sports enthusiasts and keen surfers with competent flair.
After some self-debriefing of her remarkable swimming career and integrating Shane-the-swimmer with Shane-the-person, the marriage of 22 years gradually stretched to breaking point. On leaving her husband she also broke through a year-long depression. With the help of close friends and a soul-searching visit to the United States, she re-emerged into the public eye, determined to help others avoid the conflicts and uncertainties she experienced as a swimming superstar.
Shane sensed a need for current athletes to take care of their whole life needs, not just their sport needs. Because many athletes have difficulty coping with life without sport, Shane believes preventing or minimising sports retirement stress can be addressed while the athlete is still competing and training.
Now a successful businesswoman, author, keynote speaker and swimming commentator, Shane is researching swimming teaching and training methods. She shares her insights with you in Swimming Better.
Shane’s return to the public eye has seen a return to the swimming pool, where she trains regularly "to be fit for life" and competes occasionally in Masters events. During her travels throughout Australia, she often surprises coaches by turning up at a squad session and asking to join in with the young swimmers. Her autobiography Tumble Turns was published in August 1999. A new edition with 3 updated chapters was published in May 2003.
Officially designated a "Living National Treasure", and a recipient of the 2003 Centenary medal Shane Gould is known by all she touches for her generous heart, her compassionate and visionary perspective, and her ability to inspire others to do their best.
