I wonder if his old paid gig was his quiky contract - no doubt they could have used a better photo then if this was the case!!!!
Gold Coast City lifeguard Jamie Mitchell snags gig working for Princess of Monaco
JAMES "Billy" Watson has a theory about his best mate, and considering the latest twist Jamie Mitchell's life has taken, it's hard to argue with him.
"I'm sure he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth,'' the council lifeguard laughed when quizzed about his former colleague scoring a gig working for the Princess of Monaco, the wife of Prince Albert and one of the world's most glamorous women.
"Even his mum says that. He always seems to land on his feet ? but this one is pretty out-there.
"Staying in the castle with the Princess you'd never expect that. Did he tell you how they met?"
He certainly did but we'll get to that soon. First, some background.
Mitchell is one of the world's great watermen. From humble beginnings as a Coffs Harbour Nipper and Gold Coast City Council lifeguard, he has earned a global reputation as a big-wave surfer and 10-time winner of the gruelling Molokai ocean paddling championship.
Big-wave surfer and stand-up paddler Jamie Mitchell. Source: News Limited
A proud Currumbin local, his mates have learned to never be surprised by what "Mitcho'' does next but how else were they meant to react when he told them he was moving to Monaco to work for a princess?
"I met her in California about a year ago,'' Mitchell said of Princess Charlene, the former South African Olympic swimmer who has employed him as an ambassador for her water safety foundation.
"A friend invited me for a weekend at if you can believe this (actress) Reese Witherspoon's house and the Princess and her brother were there.
"We started chatting and I explained what I do (with paddleboarding) and said 'You guys should try it'.
"I organised a bunch of boards and took them paddling the next day.
"Then they invited me to Monaco and I put on a clinic for the Princess, Prince Albert and a bunch of their friends.
"We kept in contact and it just progressed from there.''
Prince's Albert II of Monaco (L) and his wife, Princess Charlene of Monaco (C). AFP PHOTO / VALERY HACHE Source: AFP
Where it has progressed to is Mitchell living in Monaco as he organises his first major learn-to-swim event for the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation.
"I lost my major sponsor three months ago, which was 70 per cent of my wage, so it's been nice to fall into this and use a different part of my brain," he said.
"I want to get back into racing but right now I'm sacrificing a little bit of that to give something back.
"We'll be going to remote locations where kids are drowning for no reason other than a lack of funding and programs."
And how's royal life treating you?
"The Prince and Princess are really down-to-earth. I couldn't have better bosses ... (but) it is a whole different world over here the cars, the way people dress, the money.
"I certainly get funny looks walking around with the scraggly blond hair.
"I'll never get used to it but it's a cool change.
"I've had the royal treatment, for lack of a better term, but I'm trying not to get caught up in it too much.
"At the end of the day I'm here to do a job."
Read more:
www.news.com.au/gold-coast-city-lifeguard-jamie-mitchell-snags-gig-working-for-princess-of-monaco/news-story/90ee1e32d77cdaef2b670d4198bea697
Ted the Kiwi
> 9 months ago, 1 Aug 2013
