Port Waikato teen rides the waves of Aussie bodyboarding success

A former Port Waikato teenager is making a name for himself on the Australian bodyboarding scene after moving to the Gold Coast to chase his dreams.

William Nepia Murray, 16, made the move to the Gold Coast to improve his bodyboarding skills and he is eyeing a future on the professional circuit.

‘’I’m not quite there yet,’’ he said. “Hopefully I’ll turn pro in the future, in the next couple of years.’’

If he does turn pro he will have the chance to compete in Australia, Tahiti, South America and Europe on the IBA World Tour and take a cut from a prize pool of up to $60,000 for each event.

With two bodyboarding clubs within 10 kilometres of his local beach, Mr Nepia-Murray said it is a far cry from bodyboarding at Port Waikato.

‘’There’s just so much more competition here,’’ he said.

The popularity of the sport in Australia means regular training is a necessity and Mr Nepia-Murray spends as much time as he can in the ocean.

‘’I’m out there every morning before school and I train after school as well,’’ he said. ‘’If the surf is no good I go for runs and do core training.’’

He gets help with his sport from new sponsors Bodyboarding Surf Co, who supply him with boards, wetsuits and fins. He is also has a personal trainer who specialises in bodyboarding fitness to help with his strength and flexibility.

‘’They treat me real good,’’ he said. ‘’Whenever I need stuff I just go in and get what I need.’’

It is paying off with selection into the Gold Coast bodyboarding team and a number of placings in state competitions.

He competed in the QAB – Queensland Association of Bodyboarding – State competition at the weekend and placed second in the junior section and fourth in the open men’s section on the same day.

Mr Nepia-Murray has two years of school to go but is determined to succeed in his sport and will keep competing in bodyboarding competitions at local, state and national levels.