Surfing family's youngest has his eye on the gold at U14 lifesaving champs

Photo / Thinkstock

Mitch Cowdrey has already tasted victory in a highly competitive battle of sibling rivalry but now he has bigger goals in mind.

The Bay of Plenty local would like nothing more than to seal the deal at this weekend's Oceans 14 New Zealand under-14 surf lifesaving championships in Mt Maunganui.

The 13-year-old from Papamoa is the youngest of four boys, all highly talented surf athletes with a rich pedigree in the annual four-day Oceans carnival which young Mitch has been attending in some shape or form since he was 5.

That was when oldest brother Ross was just starting out as a 9-year-old.

Over the next five years Ross picked up three wins in the prestigious diamond race and, with middle brothers Scott and Jake, collected 30 medals in total.

They could have had more but the 2010 finals day was ruined because of a tsunami warning.

Unfortunately for them, Mitch already has 15 to his name, including five individual golds, and will be hunting hard for more in the final two days of his last Oceans carnival this weekend.

"I think I've just taken out the title against Ross already so I'm pretty stoked," said Mitch with a grin. "He's not too happy about it, though."

The annual junior showpiece has attracted more than 800 juniors this year from 29 different clubs which is another sharp rise in numbers from last year.

It started on Thursday afternoon and runs until finals day tomorrow.

The Papamoa club has a proud history in the event and will be trying to defend the overall club title, with the Cowdrey clan playing a big part.

Mum and dad, Ailsa and Dave Cowdrey, are both active patrolling lifeguards.

They compete in surf canoes, while also marshalling their four boys to swim and beach trainings throughout the year.

As the youngest, Mitch has had the benefits of all that accumulated surf knowledge.

"My brothers were the ones who taught me how to ride a board," he said.

"Mum reckons I was standing up and surfing at 4 so they've definitely been a positive influence."

One of the features of the Oceans carnival is that many of the officials are former competitors.

This year Taranaki beach sprint star Olivia Eaton will return to help out, as well as Auckland sisters Hannah and Lauren Williams.

Hannah Williams, who now competes for Red Beach, has a particularly proud record at Oceans.

As the sole competitor for the small Mangawhai Heads club in 2012, she helped them to finish 12th overall.

It's that team aspect which particularly appeals to Mitch Cowdrey too.

"I just enjoy the whole group, competing with my mates and seeing how well I can do," he said.

"The team wins are always really special. Last year, we won the final race of the carnival to take the overall club title - but the individual wins are also pretty special, knowing that you're the best in New Zealand at something."

Oceans 14

NZ U14 Surf Lifesaving Championship

When: February 20-23

Where: Main Beach, Mt Maunganui

How many: 823 athletes

Events: Sprints, surf races, board races, 2km relay and diamond races

Categories: U11, U12, U13 and U14 age groups

For more information visit: http://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/calendar/2014/february/u14-new-zealand-surf-life-saving-championships-(oceans14)/