Daniel Wiffen Talks Surfing In Bali, The Gladiator 2 Film Premiere & Going 14:29 In 2025
Since Daniel Wiffen became Olympic champion in Paris, he’s honed his surfing skills in Bali, walked the red carpet at the Gladiator 2 film premiere and been honoured with armfuls of awards.
In July, Wiffen won the 800 free as he held off the trademark charge of reigning champion Bobby Finke in an Olympic record of 7:38.19, also the fifth-fastest performance all-time.
The Irish swimmer returned to La Defense Arena four days later for the 1500 in which he won bronze as Finke set a WR of 14:30.67.
Daniel Wiffen: Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala, Deepbluemedia
His programme wasn’t over as Wiffen took to the waters of the River Seine, finishing 18th in his “first and last” 10k race, although he’s left the door open to dipping his toe once more despite being hospitalised with e-coli after the race which caused him to miss being Irish flagbearer at the Closing Ceremony.
There was a whirlwind of interviews from media outlets the world over before he returned home to Ireland.
Everyday life is “very different” now for the 23-year-old and while accustomed to the increased scrutiny from press and public alike, Wiffen finds it “very weird.”
He told Swimming World: “In Ireland it’s massive, I feel like I can’t really walk down the street anymore. In Loughborough (where he trains) it’s pretty big too. I can’t really go outside of my house without people asking me for a photo. People come to the swimming pool to watch us train, stuff like that.”
He added: “I got famous – the walkouts, celebrations and videos – all round the world.
“Even in Bali, I’d get people coming up to me at least three times a day asking for photos and talking about the race.”
Riding The Wave
Following his return home, Wiffen enjoyed a five-day golfing trip with Belgian Olympian Lucas Henveaux before heading to Barcelona with friends from Loughborough.
Then he went to Bali and Lombok for a month where he took up surfing, something that came naturally for Wiffen and friends.
“It’s about balance: we’re really good at swimming so paddling is really easy for us. We could out-paddle a lot of the pro surfers to the waves.
“We had a teacher and he was telling us to catch the waves. I’d say we got to a semi-professional level. I talked to Irish Olympic surfers and they were saying what we did in four weeks it takes people two years.
“I think it’s being comfortable swimming, we’re quite strong: it’s all about paddling in surfing.
“Obviously balance – core stability is key in swimming so….it wasn’t that hard; you have just got to learn the technique.”
Does the surf dude lifestyle appeal? “Wake up, surf in the morning, go back, sleep, wake up again, surf – it’s basically the same as a swimmer’s schedule.”
Movie Premieres & Award Ceremonies
Away from the water, Wiffen is a bit of a film buff with action or rom-coms his movies of choice.
His favourites are science fiction movie ‘Ready Player One’ and ‘The Social Network’ and he jumped at the chance of attending the Gladiator 2 premiere in Dublin.
“I was pretty happy I got invited to go. It’s all because of my celebration: when I won in Paris I did the Russell Crowe – ‘are you not entertained?’ – on the lane rope with my arms out.
“So, they invited me to the premiere and I got to meet (lead actor) Paul Mescal which was really cool and I got to see the movie a week before it came out.
“It’s better than the first. I think the action’s better.”
There were also award shows to attend with Wiffen named Swim Ireland Performance Athlete of the Year and Sport Ireland Breakthrough Olympian.
He was also honoured by University College Dublin’s Literary and Historical Society (L&H) with the James Joyce Award, a highly-prestigious accolade with previous honorees including Irish poet and playwright Seamus Heaney and former speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.
Back In The Water But No Budapest
Wiffen then returned to his base at Loughborough where he is back in full training, guided by coach Andi Manley.
His initial return to the water had been sporadic with Manley not on poolside and he struggled for motivation.
That led to conversations with Swim Ireland performance director Jon Rudd and a decision was made not to travel to the World Short-Course Championships in Budapest.
Daniel Wiffen: Photo Courtesy: G.Scala/Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto
He swept the 400, 800 and 1500 at the BUCS Championships (25m) in Sheffield to wrap up a year in which he won double gold at the World Championships before his historic gold and bronze in Paris.
Looking ahead to 2025, Wiffen says he is “ready to go back in and perform” with Singapore hosting the World Championships from 11 July-3 August.
His intention is to break through the 14:30-barrier in the 1500, saying: “We’ll be in the 14:29s in the summer…Singapore worlds or even before. I’ll be doing it.”
He added:
“Because I could have done it last summer and if we’d switched the races around, I think I would have done it.
“Becoming Olympic champion everything just changes instantly: you do wonder why do I go again as well and do another race?
“Everything keeps going through your mind but honestly this summer I’ve learned a lot from these Olympic medals.
“I’m happy I came away with 18th place in the open water because it definitely made me want to come back faster: finishing off an Olympics with 18th place I wasn’t very happy.”