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EXCLUSIVE: Julian Wilson shares his COVID-19 experience, Olympic dreams

May 6th, 2020
May 6th, 2020

If ever there was a moment that could prepare an athlete for adversity, it was the horrifying shark attack made famous by Mick Fanning's punch to fight it off, at J-Bay in 2015.

The other surfer in the water at the time was Julian Wilson, who has forged a close bond with the now retired three-time world champion.

Wilson, like all professional athletes, is currently working hard to maintain his conditioning and training in an environment where competition has been shut down.

It's a very different challenge to fighting off a shark, although Wilson sees both situations as opportunities for perspective.

Billabong Pipe Masters - WSL Championship Tour 2019: Julian Wilson (Getty)

"The shark incident with Mick at J-Bay, that was something that impacted that moment in time and where we were at," Wilson told Wide World of Sports.

"We're really close mates. We still are really close and keep in touch.

"Obviously, the event didn't complete, but with what's happening at the moment (COVID-19 pandemic), it's affecting the whole world and it's unprecedented times. It's something I never imaged to be living through. 

"This is a shock to anybody and everybody across the world."

So long as there's no more interruptions after the Tokyo Games were postponed for next year, surfing for the very first time will be recognised as an Olympic event.

Sydney Surf Pro 2020: Julian Wilson (Getty)

One of Australia's most recognisable talents in the water, Wilson, will be one of the nation's best hopes to bring home a medal.

Currently ranked 11th in the world and with five championship tour victories to his name, Wilson admits when the games do occur, he's going for gold and won't just be there to tick a box.

"Definitely wanting to go for the gold medal, that's for sure," Wilson said.

"I'm excited for the opportunity, I have been thinking about it for quite some time now.

"We had implemented a few changes just in equipment and my performance that I'm working on for the Olympics with it being a special event.

"I'm not going there just to enjoy the ride, I definitely want to go there and give it a good crack."

Wilson endured one of his greatest years as a professional surfer back in 2018.

The 31-year-old came incredibly close to a maiden World Surf League championship (WSL), finishing in a heartbreaking second after he was edged out by Brazilian Gabriel Medina for the title.

Gabriel Medina edged Julian Wilson for a world title. (AAP)

But with the coronavirus pandemic forcing the entire world to pause, Wilson admits it's uncharted territory for him, with this current period the longest he's been stuck at home and now forced to undergo fitness sessions on FaceTime.

"Things have changed a little bit for sure," he said

"It's the longest I've been at home without being injured. The other time was via an injury, so it's been really nice to slow things down and appreciate where I'm at home.

"I've been training on FaceTime with my trainer. Doing sessions in the garage on the stationary bike, getting my exercise in and trying to stay busy but also enjoy the fact that there's not anywhere I need to be, I can slow things down."

Wilson recently welcomed a new addition to the family with the arrival of a newborn son and has been taking advantage of the shutdown period as a way to spend more time with his loved ones.

"Just spending a lot of time at home with my family," Wilson added.

"I've got a new little baby in the house, he's almost four months old."

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