He has been a striving member of the club’s junior surf programme since then, culminating in a silver medal in the u16 run-swim-run at the nationals in Gisborne.
“Swimming is my main disciplne, and has been since I started competition swimming,” said Jack, a member of the Enterprise Cars Swim Team under the guidance of head coach Matt Martin.
He has won close to 60 swimming events in many strokes at Hawke’s Bay-Poverty Bay level, and has also collected medals at the Surf Life Saving New Zealand pool champs.
“This summer in lifesaving I hope to make the national youth squad,” he said.
“I think my chances are fairly good if I continue to work hard and nail all the little things.”
Jack has been training on a ski for nearly a year, on a board since he was a nipper and has clocked up several thousand kilometres in the pool.
“Over this summer I will train six days a week, divided between swimming, surf lifesaving and dry land training.”
Wainui head coach Dion Williams said Keepa’s success was reward for his hard work.
“Jack is a talented athlete and is reaping the awards because he puts in the effort.
“At 14 he would be young to make the national youth squad this year, but the quality of his swimming, both in a pool and in the ocean, makes him a real chance.”
Williams sees a successful future for Keepa over the next few years.
“He will join the ranks of our stars.”
Jack is a beach boy through and through, having grown up at the Wainui club.
“My mum (Sonia) is heavily involved so it was natural that I got involved, too.
“I love the surf and I really enjoy the tough racing.
“Overall, I enjoy surf lifesaving because we get to look after everyone else who’s at the beach.
“We have a responsibility to do that, which I embrace.”
