Youngster already looking ahead to next year
Joe Keogh, 11, loved his first time at the Oceans 14 surf lifesaving championships – and he’ll be back.
Mt Maunganui youngster Joe Keogh can’t wait to return next year despite not making the finals at Oceans 14, one of the largest junior life-saving events of the year.
850 junior life savers were a part of the junior national championships, held in Mount Maunganui in late February.
The championships began with a minute’s silence for 11-year-old Harrison Mundy from Omanu surf club, who recently lost his battle with cancer.
While Joe, from the Omanu club based in Mt Maunganui, didn’t make the finals, there was no sign of disappointment on his face.
He still turned up on Sunday to support his team mates who made it through to the finals.
With a green boogie board under one arm and his other free hand rubbing his bloodshot eyes after competing, the 11-year-old was the image of a typical surfer kid.
It was his first year of competing at the Oceans Series, and like the other first timers, securing a spot in the finals wasn’t crucial.
“Joe is absolutely mad about surf lifesaving,” said dad Darin Keogh, but the Oceans Championships were about Joe enjoying the social side of the sport.
When asked what Joe is most talented at – the kneeboard, ski or swim – Darin replied with a big laugh “none of them”.
He said he was stoked just to see his boy come in the top 15 in the flag sprints for his age group.
As with the other competitors, Joe’s surf lifesaving training is a demanding six days a week.
Joe said being with his mates and the beach flag races were what he enjoyed the most of his first weekend at the Oceans 14.
He nodded enthusiastically when asked if he will be at next year’s Ocean Championships – it is a definite yes.
