McDonagh on song as titles resume
LENNOX Head surfer Mikey McDonagh admits it has been hard to adapt after a stop-start World Junior Championships threatened to eject him from “the zone” in Kiama.
McDonagh yesterday outlasted fellow Aussie Lucas Wrice in their delayed Round 2 heat, with the latter leaving friendship on the beach to make the better of the small surf. He built slowly through the heat, consistently upping his wave scores to eventually win with a heat total of 13.27. Wrice was eliminated in equal 25th place.
“It’s been a really whirlwind few days,” McDonagh said.
“I thought I was going to surf (Sunday) morning then we went on hold then in the afternoon we went off so I feel like I’ve been in the zone preparing for this heat for days.
“It was tough coming up against my good friend Lucas Wrice in that heat, you always prefer to have those heats later in the event.
“At the end of the day we are here to win heats so friendships are left on the beach.
“I’m enjoying my time here in Kiama, it’s really relaxing and reminds me of home (Lennox Head) which is super comforting.”
Indonesia’s Rio Waida continued his great run in Kiama posting another heat win and progressing into Round 4. He will join other Round Three winners Yuji Nishi (Japan) and Joh Azuchi (Japan) in Round 4 when competition resumes. Action finishes on Friday.