Ben Lewis was the toast of the Ocean Beach Kiwi beach sprint contingent at the national surf lifesaving championships in Christchurch last night.
The Napier Boys' High School year 13 student won gold in his under-19 final a month after finishing second at the Mount Maunganui-hosted Eastern Region championships. He then combined with Regan Longhurst and under-16 sprinters Joshua Lee and Reece "Wheels" Akuhata to win gold in the under-19 relay.
"Ben has worked so hard during the last month and is on fire," long-time OBK beach sprint coach Greg Larsen said last night.
"It's all because of Greg. He invited me six months ago to be part of his programme and when I saw all the rugby players he has coached over the years I had no hesitation in accepting," Lewis said.
"I've ticked off all the goals I have set for the year now but one. That is to cement a berth in the school's 1st XV and that will be the priority when we return home," he added.