Wade Burns is preparing for one of the biggest tests of his life.

The son of South Australia's Police Commissioner, Gary Burns, Wade will head to Queensland next month to take part in his first Ironman competition - a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and a 42.2km run through the state's picturesque Far North.

Surprisingly, it's illness that has spurred the 34-year-old to push his body to the limit.

Wade is living with an unexplained degenerative disease that could one day see him needing to have a kidney transplant.

In 2010, he was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy after passing black urine and feeling lethargic.

The condition means protein builds up in his kidneys and prevents them working properly.

Medicine cannot explain why it develops and there are no specific treatments.

"It's a condition where there is some uncertainty - it may plateau and not cause any further effects throughout my life or, worst case, it leads to kidney failure, which could require dialysis or a transplant," Wade says.

At the time of his diagnosis, Wade was a member of the force's elite STAR operations.

"I had always led an active outdoor lifestyle, so it came as a bit of a surprise," he says.

"From what specialists tell me, a healthy, happy, active lifestyle is the best thing that I can do."

So, at the suggestion of wife Jade, he started competing in triathlons as a way to challenge himself both physically and mentally.

He started competing in 2012, working his way from the Victor Harbor Triathlon to half-Ironman competitions. He has been so successful that in 12 months, he has qualified for the half-Ironman World Championship in Las Vegas, and has been selected in the national team to represent Australia at the Age Group World Championships in France and England.

On June 9, he will put his body through its most gruelling challenge yet: his first full Ironman competition in Cairns where he will cover 226km, hoping to finish the race inside 13 hours.

He is currently training up to 15 hours a week, under the eye of Graeme Turner from Fit2Tri - while also working his full-time, shiftwork police job, being father to two-year-old Kyte and helping his pregnant wife, Jade, who is due in July.

With the impending arrival of their second son clashing with the World Championships, Wade has decided to forgo representing Australia, instead making his first full-course Ironman event significant by using it to raise funds for Kidney Health Australia. He is hoping to raise $5000 for research and support. Wade says his Police Commissioner father backs all his endeavours. "He's proud of my achievements in this sport in such a short time," he says. Wade's battle with kidney disease has helped inspire him to live life to its fullest.

"Every day is appreciated and I'd like to inspire others that no matter what adversity is faced, it can always be overcome," he says.