Warrnambool teenager Joe Madigan wins first individual gold at Victorian senior surf lifesaving championships

Emerging Warrnambool athlete Joe Madigan proved his mettle in the gruelling knockout event at the Victorian senior state championships on Saturday, outlasting his rivals to claim under 14 boys' gold.

Madigan - a South Warrnambool junior footballer who relishes playing midfield - used his running power to tame the tricky sand conditions.

"It was pretty tough. The kid I was against (at the end), I thought he was going to be faster than me but I got there," he said.

"He has a very fast turn but I was just faster at the end."

Madigan said the beach flags discipline was challenging.

"You start on your tummy, turn around and run up to the flag and if you get it, you get it and if you don't you don't (and you're out)," he said.

"To get the the semis it was about four or five runs and then we had to do another two in the semis and then it was top seven in the final and that's another six runs.

"Lucky it's only 20 metres (each time) because you get pretty tired."

The Emmanuel College student, who also won the pairs relay with Jack McNeil, has been competing in surf lifesaving since under eight level.

Saturday's win was his first in senior competition.

"It is pretty special. It is my first time getting an individual gold; I have a few team golds," Madigan said.

"It was good to get up there and get gold, especially in front of everyone - everyone could see."

Surf lifesaving is a key part of Madigan's regular routine.

He trains three times a week with Warrnambool Surf Lifesaving Club.

"I just love it. I like seeing everybody and getting to go in the water," he said.

"I love the water and love surfing and the beach (races) are just a bonus because I am quick."

The teenager's other sporting passion - football - will take centre stage come April when the Hampden league season kicks off.

"I am looking forward to it because we missed out on the grand final last year (because of COVID restrictions)," Madigan said.

"I am keen to get a whole season in this year. Normally I play midfield-onball but this year, being bottom-age (in under 16s), I'll probably get put forward or on the wing."

Madigan was named overall under 14 beach champion and was second in the beach sprint. He also collected bronze in the youth relay and under 14 one-kilometre run.

Mia Cook had a standout carnival for Warrnambool too, winning six gold medals - five in the under 17 female section and one in open - and a silver in the open iron-person category.

Ella Bryant

- under 14 girls' beach sprints (silver)

Henry Hoffman

- under 15 boys' flags (bronze)

Joe Madigan

- youth 1x1km relay (gold)

- under 14 boys' flags (gold)

- overall under 14 beach champion

- youth relay (bronze)

- under 14 boys' beach sprint (silver)

- one-kilometre under 14 boys' beach run (bronze)

Will Main

- youth relay (bronze)

Jack McNeil

- youth 1*1 relay (gold)

Harvey Moncrief

- under 17 relay

- under 17 board rescue

Ellie Johnson

- 2x1km open beach run (bronze)

Will McNeil

- under 19 board relay (gold)

- open taplin (silver)

- under 19 beach sprint (bronze)

- open beach relay (bronze)

- open rescue tube rescue (bronze)

- open board rescue (bronze)

Paddy O'Brien

- open board relay (gold)

- open double ski (silver)

- open taplin (silver)

Ty Wood

- under 19 beach relay

Balun Cumming

- under 19 beach relay

Tom Droste

- under 19 beach relay

Kiara Holland

- under 17 board relay

Elke Alsebrook

- under 19 2km beach run

Steve Kerr

-open board (silver)

- board relay (first)

- open taplin (second)

Conor Cook

- open rescue tube rescue (bronze)

- open taplin (silver)

Moses O'Brien

- under 17 board relay

Isaac Jones

- open swim (gold)

- open taplin (silver)

- rescue tube rescue (third)

Charlie Groves

- under 17 board rescue (first)

- under 17 board relay (first)

Alana Johnson

- open single ski (second)

- mixed double ski (bronze)

- 2x1km open beach run (bronze)

Alex Johnston

- under 19 board relay (first)

Mia Cook

- under 17 board (gold)

- under 17 ski (gold)

- under 17 iron (gold)

- open board (gold)

- open iron (silver)

- under 17 board relay (gold)

- under 17 board rescue (gold)

Jackson Fary

- men's open taplin (silver)

- open double ski (silver)

- open mixed ski (bronze)

- open rescue tube rescue (bronze)

Darcy Bridgewater

- under 17 board (silver)

- under 17 board rescue (bronze)

- open board rescue (bronze)

- under 17 board relay (gold)

- open board relay (gold)

- under 17 beach relay (silver)

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