Ross Kendall
Lennox Head junior surfer Mikey McDonagh is sitting on top of the JQS Subway Pro Junior Surf series ladder, and is relishing taking his surfing to the next level with a fresh, clear and determined attitude.
‘I have started the new year refreshed and in a really good headspace,’ he said.
The seven-event series has the full support of Surfing Australia and the World Surf League and forms part of the 2017 WSL Australasian Junior Qualifying Series.
The winning athletes get an opportunity to compete for a coveted title at the World Surf League Junior Championships in 2018.
The soon-to-be 16-year -old has had a great start to 2017, after last year was plagued with injuries and other issues.
Mikey won the first event at Bells Beach, and reached the semis in the second at North Narrabeen two weeks ago.
Taking on older competitors is all part of the challenge.
‘It is a tough playing field. All the best surfers in Australia are there. You really have to bring your A-game, every time.
‘Whoever gets the right waves will win the heat, [but being bale to get on top of the older guys] is definitely a self-esteem booster,’ he said.
Lennox Head is producing some other really good surfers, notably in the 11–14 year old age group.
‘It is excellent to see them coming through,’ he said.
Nyxie Ryan and Jai Glinderman won their events, and Jack O’Brien was a finalist, at the recent Rip Curl GromSearch National Final.
There is great support in the area for developing surfers from family, friends and many others.
‘Everyone knows everyone in the water, and the older surfers are stoked to see the young guys coming through,’ Mikey said.
Event three in the series is in March in Sydney before the surfers head off to Western Australia.
Mikey is concentrating on this series and will ‘see what happens for the next half of the year,’ he said.
Mikey does home schooling to fit in his travelling and surfing commitments and is totally focused on further developing his professional and hopefully international surf career.
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