Rocket defies the stereotype

Ironman Damon Drochmann.

Visions of an “Ironman” being a strapping individual are unfounded in the case of Damon Drochmann, but the 11-year-old doesn’t mind as he keeps on collecting gold medals.

The Hall State School student is known by his Yeppoon Surf club team-mates as the “Pocket Rocket” and he lived up to that title at the weekend by collecting two gold medals at the Capricorn-Wide Bay Nippers Championships at Bargara.

The youngster was in line for a third gold but was thwarted by the weather conditions as the final of the Surf Swim was cancelled after he looked a certainty to win having qualified in the heats by a massive margin.

The cancellation of the Surf Swim came after Damon, and the other young competitors had battled a big surf during the carnival.

Damon had collected his gold in the Board and the Ironman where he had won by large margins against opponents who were physically larger.

His father Doug said his son was a bit of a battler.

“He has a bit of a background (in water sports),” he said.

However it is only in the past year that Damon has started to produce top performances on a regular basis.

Doug said the Nippers and life saving really appealed to Damon and brought about a clearer focus to his sport.

Towards the end of last year Damon picked up gold at Mackay when he competed in the Surf Swim event at the North Australian Championship.

At Bargara, Doug was surprised to see the way his son battled the elements, especially in the Board race.

“You could just see him as he bobbled over the top of the waves,” he recalled.

Doug sees his son as favouring endurance events.

“He trains pretty well and he really loves his life saving.”.

Damon also trains with the CQ Aqua Jets Swimming Club under head coach Gary Knight who noted the improvement in the young athlete. “He’s a little older and more consistent with his training,” he said.

“We’ve worked hard on his flexibility and the work he is doing (this year) is tougher.”

Now Damon, along with all the young surf lifesavers in the region, will have their eyes focused on the State Championship at Emu Park next month.