Nipper Jaiden Marshall aiming to reach Ironman level
Eleven-year-old Jaiden Marshall is not burdened by the fact his father Colin is a former national champion swimmer, who has broken records for backstroke and almost made it to the Barcelona Olympics if not for an injured shoulder.
Eleven-year-old Jaiden Marshall is not burdened by the fact his father Colin is a former national champion swimmer, who has broken records for backstroke and almost made it to the Barcelona Olympics if not for an injured shoulder.
The family background helps but the Matraville youngster is busy forging his own path as a highly talented surf lifesaver for the South Maroubra club.
His impressive record at last month’s state surf lifesaving titles at Blacksmiths beach, include first in the surf teams for under-12 male, second in the ironman, second in the surf race, second in the board rescue and third in the mixed Cameron relay. Jaiden and his South Maroubra teammates are unstoppable — they have won the team relay at the state titles for the past three years in a row.
Jaiden is the Southern Courier’s latest nominee for the Junior Sports Star Individual title at the Local Sports Stars Awards.
But like his dad, who is the coach at South Maroubra, Jaiden also excels in swimming in flat water, picking up four medals in the state swimming championships and competing at the school nationals for backstroke.
As for the state surf titles, Jaiden said he found it “a bit harder this year.
“I knew I could perform a bit better. I was practising my dolphining and board riding,” he said.
“I’m probably one of the best at catching waves while swimming. I can catch the whitewash.”
Mum Sarah agrees: “He can hold a wave 50 metres all the way to the shore.”
IN OTHER NEWS
Jaiden, whose idols include swimmer Michael Phelps and surfer Jamie O’Brien wants to compete in the Nutri-Grain Ironman series one day. “I love being in the sport and I love being in the ocean,” Jaiden said. “I am a true local and I enjoy competing for my club, city and state.
There are four Local Sports Stars categories — Junior Sports Star Individual, which is open to athletes aged 18 and under who have competed at state level or above; the Inspiration Award (Individual) for 18 and under athletes who show courage and dedication to excel; Service to Sport, for coaches, club members or volunteers and Team of Excellence, for teams aged 18 and under.
Nominate someone now at localsportsstars.com.au/newslocal
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