Naknek triathlete takes on the world in pro ranks
Raised in the small town of Naknek, Damian Hill pursued huge goals and now he is living his dream as a professional triathlete.
A Bristol Bay High School graduate, Hill, now 28, keeps his hometown near and dear to his heart. So much so the Bristol Bay Borough is a title sponsor.
“I want to promote a healthy lifestyle to rural areas; that is where I grew up,” he said. “I see a lot of things that can be done better and people can be healthier. I feel like I can be a positive influence in all that.”
Hill bounces back and forth between Naknek and Portland, Ore., where he trains with his pro team Athlete’s Lounge. His mother and father and one of his brothers still live in town while his other three brothers live near Lake Iliamna.
Like most children in this area he grew up working in the salmon fishing industry. It was there that he developed a killer work ethic that he still relies on today.
“I’m helping to promote the Bristol Bay sockeye salmon,” he said. “I’m a third generation fisherman. My whole family is involved in the fisheries. I’m not able to commercial fish anymore, but I have the opportunity to be on the marketing and promotional side of it.”
The Bristol Bay Borough saw the passion he had for the region, so in return his hometown helps fund his dream. Without support from that sponsor and others, he could not travel the country on the pro tour.
Earlier this month Hill placed 18th in the pro field of more than 40 men in Middlebury, Conn. It was the second of three Revolution 3 Series races.
In February, he placed ninth in the Rev 3 Series opener in Costa Rica, missing out on the money by one spot. The series concludes July 11 in Portland.
Then his focus shifts to the Tri-California Series.
Most recently he travelled to the East Coast for the Rev 3 Quassy, where covered the 1.3-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run in 4 hours, 20 minutes. The race carried a $150,000 prize purse for the top 10, with $20,000 going to the winner.
“When you fly across country and do not get a payday, it can hurt,” he said, “but that is how it goes.”
The lean 6-foot-2, 165-pounder turned pro two years ago after a successful amateur career.
“I could stick around and be a huge fish in a small pond and win all these races, but that is now what I’m after. I want to be in the biggest and baddest races, and win those.”
Becoming a professional in any sport is a major accomplishment, but sticking around is the hard part.
The triathlon circuit is no different. The pro field is loaded with Olympics, Ironman winners and world champions.
Hill has his work cut out for him. That’s why he is currently training up to 30 hours a week.
“It’s about getting in the mileage and getting in the years in your legs, and I’m finally feeling like the work that I’m putting in I’m able to train at the highest level,” he said. “Now it’s just like adapting your body to being this endurance beast, basically.”
Until then, though, he is happy to plug away at it.
“I could be racing every weekend all over the world if I wanted to,” he stated before pausing, “yeah, I really want to, and I’m getting there.”
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