Christchurch-raised Benji Lowen has had a blistering year in surfing contests with a string of wins here in New Zealand, before repeating that feat along Australia’s East Coast. He’s just won the GromSearch Oz Cup in his adopted backyard of Coffs Harbour, NSW, and that’s boosted him into the top 10 of Australia’s Under 18 national rankings.
That’s significant. Currently ranked ninth with three wins and a fifth place, Benji is paving his way into the bigger contests that draft and seed surfers based on results.
We caught up with Benji just after his win at the Coffs Harbour GromSearch Oz Cup. Here’s what hew had to say:
NZSJ: Benji, congratulations. That’s another superb win. How are you feeling?
BENJI LOWEN: Honestly, I’m super stoked. I was really happy to take the win especially because it is one of my local beaches here in Coffs. I had a bunch of crew at the beach supporting me, which you don’t always have when you are away competing. So, yeah, this win felt good.
NZSJ: What does this mean for you?
BENJI LOWEN: You definitely lose more than you win in this sport, so it’s good to get a win, that’s for sure.
BENJI LOWEN: Yes – moving to Coffs has been the best thing for me. Coffs Harbour has great waves, it’s warm, which helps, and it’s not very crowded in the line ups. There are lots of waves and, more importantly, opportunity to catch lots of waves. Plus, it’s not too far to the Gold Coast where there are quite a few comps and I can do the mission up to the points when the swell turns up. I really don’t like crowds so Coffs is a good place for me. The Coffs Harbour Boardriders Club (CHBC) is super supportive of me, too. They have a pretty good junior development program running and that means they’re getting some quality coaching to the area.
NZSJ: So what does it take to win? Skill? Physicality? Mental fortitude?
BENJI LOWEN: It’s definitely a combo of all those things. I’d say it’s 30 percent physical, 30 percent skill and 40 percent mental. Everyone enjoys winning and it definitely helps to feel confident going into comps. But it’s not only that mental side – you need to have all things in order to succeed. So being prepared leading up to comps with gym sessions, surf-training sessions and then having a pre-heat process – that all needs to happen to ensure you give yourself the best chance of success. As we know sometimes you may have all those things and then we rely on mother nature to provide, which doesn’t always happen.
Yes, comp success helps build that momentum but even with success there are often things you could do better next time and ensuring you dig those things out after each comp helps you to better prepare for the next one … and hopefully more success.
“It’s not only that mental side – you need to have all things in order to succeed. So being prepared leading up to comps with gym sessions, surf-training sessions and then having a pre-heat process – that all needs to happen to ensure you give yourself the best chance of success.”
BENJI LOWEN: Yeah, that was a good start to the year with all the comps in New Zealand. I would have liked to have won nationals and to have been able to secure my spot on the New Zealand team for the year early. But I love doing all the New Zealand comps while visiting Dad and catching up with old mates … it’s the best time for me over there.
NZSJ: What’s next for you?
BENJI LOWEN: I’m pretty much done for big comps here in Oz for this year. We have some fun inter-club comps up in the Goldy coming up. They bring a team sport element to surfing which is super fun. Although this can sometimes feel more stressful as you’re not just letting yourself down if you don’t make a heat but your whole team. They’re still heaps of fun to do with all the crew.
I will look at entering some Pro Junior events too in the next six months. And of course the big focus will be on prepping for the Junior World Championships later in the year. We’re still waiting to hear when and where it’s going to be held but whispers are it’s going to be in Peru.
NZSJ: Legend bro – we’re so stoked for you. You’re doing New Zealand proud.
