Braddish wins under-15 ironman event

Umina's Lachlan Braddish has won the title Under-15 Ironman Champion on the opening day of the Australian Youth Surf Life Saving Championships at Queensland's North Kirra on March 25.

Braddish claimed a golden double, winning the surf race final before outlasting his rivals to take a thrilling Ironman victory.

In between those races, he was able to relax while some of his Ironman rivals fought for the board race gold medal which he elected to sit out.

"I thought I had a better shot at the Ironman than the board, so I thought I'd save myself for it and it worked out," Braddish said.

"It's amazing, there's no way to express how I feel right now."

Braddish was just in the lead from rivals such as Jordan Sergis (Northcliffe) and Thomas Bedingfield (Manly) after the opening board leg.

His swim to win the surf race earlier in the day proved his pedigree in that part of the Ironman, and he was determined not to let the other competitors past.

In a gut-busting finish in flat conditions, long hours of swim training at Woy Woy under coach, Mr Graeme Carroll, an Australian surf champion in his own right, paid the ultimate dividend as Braddish held out Sergis and fast-finishing Morris.

"I knew I had to stay in that position and there were no waves to drag on so I made sure I was out in the lead," he said.

"I couldn't have had a better race."

Braddish also proved too good in the Under-15 surf race final, beating Zachary Roja (North Cronulla) and Zachary Bromage (Sunshine Beach).

SOURCE:

Media release, 25 Mar 2017

Surf Life Saving NSW Media