Nutri-Grain Ironman surf 2022/23: Manly teen Connor Maggs replaces Jy Timperley for entire series

He made a splash in the opening rounds of the Nutri-Grain ironman series after an injury call-up, Now this talented schoolboy is back in the surf series full-time.

Young swimmer and ironman Conner Maggs. Pic: Supplied

Northern Beaches teenager Connor Maggs is in the Nutri-Grain series for the remainder of the series after Queenslander Jy Timperley revealed he will requite more surgery on an injured nkle.

Maggs is now heading to Maroubra beach this weekend for the third and fourth rounds of the series which kicked off in December in wild conditions at Manly.

The youngster had a baptism of fire in round one, finishing second last in the quality field.

But just a day later Maggs impressed with a 10th place finish in round two.

This puts the teenager in equal 15th place in the field of 20.

Going into the weekend’s racing, Matt Bevilacqua form Northcliffe leads overall from Ben Carberry (Burleigh Head Mowbray Park), Ali Day Surfers Paradise, Joe Collings Northcliffe, Corey Fletcher (Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park), Cory Taylor (Northcliffe), Zach Morris Northcliffe, Jackson Borg Newport, Daniel Collins Redhead, Finn Askew (Surfers Paradise).

After Maroubra, the final two rounds will be contested at Kurrawa beach on the Gold Coast on February 4 and 5.

Young swimmer and ironman Connors Maggs. Pic: Supplied

SWIM STAR GETS CALL-UP FOR NUTRI-GRAIN IRONMAN SURF SERIES

DECEMBER: When Conner Maggs and his family moved to Australia from South Africa they watched a group of Nippers competing on the Northern Beaches one weekend and decided they wanted to be a part of it.

Now, almost 10 years on, Maggs will be back at the beach where he kicked off his surf life saving career as an eight-year-old with the Manly Nippers when the 2022/23 Nutri-Grain Ironman series opens at the famous beach this coming weekend.

Maggs is part of a new wave of talent competing in the 2022/23 series which kicks off at Manly on December 17 and 18 and boasts some of the best water men and water women in the country.

The talented young schoolboy swimmer, currently competing at the NSW senior state age championships at Sydney Olympic Park this week, missed out on a spot in the series via trials.

But an injury to competitor Jy Timperley paved the way for his wildcard into the opening two rounds.

“I got the call on Friday. I was so excited I was jumping up and down and mum was running around the house,’’ Maggs said of being told he was in the series for the first time.

The Pittwater House student, who lives at Cromer, is also competing at this NSW swim championships and last weekend finished with a silver medal and a PB in the U17s 400m.

Young swimmer and ironman Conner Maggs. Pic: Supplied

And while the Newport Surf Life Saving club youngster has dreams of competing for Australia one day in either stillwater or open water, he also has a great love for the surf.

After Saturday and Sunday’s ironman racing at Manly he will back up by contesting a 5km open water swim at Penrith.

Maggs has been identified as a rising star of surf life saving for some time and won numerous Australian titles in teams events at the Aussies 2022.

In October he won the shortcourse race at the Coolangatta Gold after training with Olympian and surf life saving start Ky Hurst on the Gold Coast in the lead up.

Manly swim club’s Conner Maggs. Pic: Supplied

“He’s the greatest surf swimmer we have ever seen and I just learnt so much,“ Maggs said.

In the lead up to the opening round of the Nutri-Grain series he is training alongside Jackson Borg, one of the favourites for the series podium.

“I know I’m young but I just want to go out there and do my best and I feel like a top 10 result would be amazing,“ he said.

The series will be contested by 20 men and 20 women who will race on three of Australia’s most famous beaches in the six round series.

NSW will host the opening four rounds at Manly and then Maroubra on January 14 and 15.

The final two rounds will be contested at Kurrawa beach on the Gold Coast on February 4 and five.

NORTHERN BEACHES GUN OUR LATEST WORLD SURFING CHAMPION

In other surf related news, northern beaches surfer Emma Dieters is out newest world champion.

The 40-year-old took out the Prone 2 division at the World Para surfing titles in California.

Dieters lead home of one-two for Australia with defending champion Jocelyn Neumuell finishings as the runner-up.

“I feel really proud to be part of this Irukandjis Team. I am beyond stoked to take away the gold medal for the team at my first world championship,’’ she said.

Now I’ve had a taste of it and would like to get to a few more contests if possible.

“I am also so happy to help bring more awareness to the sport and encourage others to get involved.’’

Dieters is a C4 quadriplegic after spinal fusion surgery went wrong.

Australia finished sixth overall out of 26 countries at the event.

Women Prone 2: 1st Emma Dieters, 2nd Jocelyn Neumueller

Men Kneel: 2nd Mark Mono Stewart, Men VI1: 2nd Jack Jackson. Men VI2: 3rd Kirk Watson Men Stand 1: 3rd John Wheele, Women Prone 1: 4th Sam Bloom, Men Prone 2:

Equal 5th Lee Ferrier. Men VI1: Equal 5th Matt Formston. Men Stand 3: 10th Chris Blowes.

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