Sean Pollard

Sean Pollard (born March 22, 1991) is an Australian Paralympian who represented Australia in para-snowboarding at the 2018 Winter Paralympics in PyeongChang, Korea.[1]

Sean Pollard
Personal information
Nationality Australia
Born (1991-03-22) 22 March 1991
Sport
CountryAustralia
SportPara-snowboarding
Disability classSB-UL
Medal record
Para-snowboard
Representing  Australia
World Para Snowboard Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2019 PyhaMen's Snowboard Cross UL

Personal

On 2 October 2014, Pollard was attacked by two sharks (possibly great whites) whilst surfing at Kelpids Beach, east of Esperance, Western Australia.[2][3] He lost his left arm and right hand whilst fighting off the sharks.[3] Before the attack he was an electrician, keen surfer and former South Bunbury footballer.[3] In March 2015, more than $100,000 was raised by his local community in Bunbury, Western Australia to assist him on his new journey.[4]

Career

It was not until 2015 that Pollard encountered snow for the first time during a holiday in Canada. During the holiday, he tried snowboarding. After returning to Australia, he took part in an Australian Paralympic Committee specialist camp for Para-snowboarders with upper limb impairments.[1] Pollard has mentioned that his previous surfing and skating skils have helped his transition into snowboarding.[5]

In his first international season, he had several top 15 results including a sixth-place finish in the men's Snowboard Cross at the 2017 IPC Snowboard World Cup at Lake Tahoe, United States.[1] At the 2016/17 IPC World Cup Finals in PyeongChang, South Korea, Pollard finished eight in the snow board cross and banked slalom.[1]

At the 2018 Winter Paralympics, he competed in two snowboard events - fifth in the Men's Banked Slalom SB-UL and ninth in the Men's Snowboard Cross SB-UL.[6]

At the 2019 World Para Snowboard Championships, Pyha, Finland, Pollard won the bronze medal in Men's Snowboard Cross UL and finished seventh in the Men's Banked Slalom UL.[7]

Pollard did not compete at the 2022 Winter Paralympics as he decided to remain with his young family in Western Australia due to the States strict COVID travel restrictions.[8]

References
  1. "Sean Pollard". Australian Paralympic Committee website. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  2. Wahlquist, Calla (3 October 2014). "Shark attack: Sean Pollard loses arm, both hands in 'feeding frenzy'". Perth Now. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  3. Paddenburg, Trevor (15 February 2015). "Esperance shark attack survivor Sean Pollard recalls how he fought off white pointer". Perth Now. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  4. Miller, Shanelle (30 March 2015). "More than $100k raised for Bunbury shark attack survivor Sean Pollard". Queensland Country Life. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  5. "Surfer mauled by two sharks prepares for Paralympics". Yahoo7. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  6. "Sean Pollard". 2018 Winter Paralympics Official site. Archived from the original on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  7. "SSA Weekend Wrap | 1 April". Ski and Snowboard Australia website. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  8. Dick, Callum (13 March 2022). "Beijing Paralympics: Disappointing medal haul defended as blame centres on our Covid restrictions". News.com.au. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
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