“AWESOME and really cool”, is how Whakatane Intermediate’s Beau Broadhurst describes his history-making performance in the waves at this year’s AIMS Games in Tauranga.

The 12-year-old, who is year 8, was the first winner of the newly introduced surfing event last month.

Beau, who is surfing mad, had to compete in mountain biking last year, but when he heard his favourite sport was being introduced in 2024, it was a no-brainer for him to enter.

The surfing took place at Mount Maunganui and featured a strong field, many of whom Beau had competed against previously.

“I wanted to win. I went out there to do my best and I was lucky that I won. It’s pretty cool to think back that I won.”

“It was pretty fun catching up with the crew, but the waves were really challenging; they were pretty small. It definitely makes it harder.”

Beau said just being able to compete at the AIMS Games was special, and bringing home a gold medal made it that much sweeter.

“I was super-stoked. I couldn’t believe it. I was aiming for gold, but was just aiming to do the best I could.

Beau first jumped on a surfboard at age 3, and nine years later is still loving it more and more each day.

“I love trying to catch the best waves, the competitiveness, making new friends and hanging out in the ocean every day is awesome. Doing it with my friends is fun.”

Beau’s success at AIMS is no surprise given he’s in the water every day, either before school or after, trying to catch the best waves he can.

“My friends love to surf, and they are really good competitors too. They help push me to do better.”

He enjoyed representing his school again at the sporting event, which featured more than 13,000 children across 27 different sports.

John John Florence and Kelly Slater are his two idols in the water and one day he hopes to be like them and catch waves across the world.

Last weekend, he also took part in the Primary School championships at Midway Beach in Gisborne and finished second.

He dominated the early rounds and made it through to the final, where, in deteriorating conditions, he was pipped by Jaxon Pardoe, who he defeated for gold at AIMS.

“I love surfing in Gisborne. The waves are always good,” Beau said.

“It was fun. The waves were way bigger. It’s kind of funny that we beat each other.”

Gisborne and Raglan are his favourite surfing spots because of the waves.

“I love that every day is different and not knowing what your next wave will be.”

His brother, Billy, is year 7 next year and Beau hopes he might follow in his footsteps and give surfing a crack at the games.

“That would be pretty exciting, watching him,” he said.

Beau has plenty more events lined up over summer, including one in Raglan this weekend.