Australian surf life saving top performer from 2023 championships, club pointscore

He’s the Sydney schoolboy who just wanted to put his best foot forward at the Australian surf life saving titles. Instead he ran away with the mantle of competitor of the carnival.

Young gun Conner Maggs had an Aussies to remember

He was the young unknown teenager thrust into the spotlight when a late call-up into the professional ironman series at the start of the season.

At the end of it Conner Maggs was the most outstanding athlete at the Australian surf life saving championships.

The Sydney schoolboy from the northern beaches had an outstanding Aussies with one of his most extraordinary feats winning an open Australian crown in the boards relay with Newport teammates Charlie Brooks.

It was the start of a gold rush for the teen who ended the four day event with an extraordinary eight gold medals.

He also won a silver in the open men’s Taplin.

Young gun Conner Maggs had an Aussies to remember

This included four individual crowns snared during a purple patch on the final day.

Maggs won the U17 surf, single ski, iron ands board races for his club.

He also won the open board rescue, ski relay, surf teams and Taplin.

“This has been an incredible Aussies. Everyone around me make it so enjoyable to come to training every day,’’ he said.

“Not in my wildest dream would I think I’d come away with eight Aussies gold medals.’’

Newport's young gun Conner Maggs

Maggs paid tribute to his parents for their support.

“It’s been such a long journey, I can’t thank everyone around me enough,’’ he said.

“Most of all I want to thank my parents. Sadly my mum couldn’t be here because my brother and sister have to go back to school to tomorrow.

“But I know they’re watching… without them I wouldn’t here today.’’

Maggs garnered interest when he won the Coolangatta Gold Short Course last October before making his mark in the Nutri-Grain iron.

“My final year in under 17’s I wanted to put my best foot forward’’ he said.

Newport's Charlie Brooks and Conner Maggs after winning the board rescue.

AUSSIES DAY 1

AUSSIES DAY 2

AUSSIES DAY 3

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“We made the tough decision to pull me out of the open ironman to focus on the U17’s events because they are back-to-back.

“I’ve put a lot of effort, a lot of hours into this and I couldn’t be happier.’’

Maggs' club also finished second on the pointscore to Gold Coast club Northcliffe.

This club is made up of numerous athletes from NSW - including many from Newport, who move north to further their surf careers.

Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park was third on the club pointscore followed by Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland, Currumbin, Wanda, North Cronulla, Kurrawa and North Bondi.

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