A summer to remember for Kendrick Louis ended in the best possible fashion at the 2018 Surf Life Saving Australia Awards of Excellence last weekend when he was crowned the nation’s athlete of the year.
The consistency of his performance has been one of his greatest strengths at every level of competition throughout 2017/18, and it was this that ultimately gave Louis top honours in what was a highly competitive field.
During the season he competed at numerous events, including the Ocean 6 and Nutri Grain Iron series, where he placed in the top 10 in the overall standings, and represented his country at the International Surf Rescue Challenge in New Zealand.
Kendrick Louis had a stellar campaign at Branch, State, and National level winning medals both individually and as part of the powerful Manly Taplin team.
His crowning achievement however came on the white sand of Scarborough Beach where in the same place he won a junior ironman title a decade ago, he became the Australian Ironman Champion; the first man in his club’s history to do so.
While Louis who is currently in camp with the Australian team was unable to attend the ceremony in person he said he was honoured to receive the award.
“After you receive a couple of awards following a great year you can then take the time to look back and reflect.
“When you race and train all year you don’t really think about winning awards as you’re taking it race by race and day by day,” Louis said.
“To me winning the award is for the coaches and support crew around me. The stuff I do wouldn’t even be possible without the efforts of the sponsors, coaches and support crew and I owe all of them and my family for this achievement.”
Tuesday 30 October 2018