Brotherly bond fuels Maggs' Ironman rise

Noah Maggs’ heart rate was soaring as a drama-filled open ironman final unfolded at the Shaw and Partners Manly Open on the weekend, but it wasn’t performance anxiety that had him on edge. 

Instead, the Bond Sports Leadership scholar watched anxiously from the sidelines as older brother Conner conquered thumping eight-foot surf to claim his first major win since clinching last season’s Shaw and Partners Iron Series title. 

Noah says the nerves of watching Conner are far more intense than those he feels when on the starting line himself, which should leave him far more relaxed when the brothers go head-to-head at this weekend’s Murphy Homes Maroochy Classic.

“When you’re sitting there watching, there’s nothing you can do,” Noah said.

“When I’m racing, I am in control, but when I’m sitting there watching my brother paddling into a huge wave on his ski … I just wish there was something I could do to help.”

The bond between the Maggs brothers has long been a close one, but it has grown stronger since the Bachelor of Business student relocated from Sydney with his parents and emerging ironwoman in younger sister Sadie, to join Conner at Mermaid Beach Surf Club under head coach and ironman great Ky Hurst. 

While a trio of competitive athletes makes banter commonplace among the Maggs siblings, it is matched with deep respect and support.

“It gets a bit feisty in our household – there’s a lot of banter and we all compete with each other to see who gets the better results.

“But on days when I don’t feel like going training, Conner will say, ‘come on, just come along with me,’ and drag me down to the beach.” 

At just 17, Noah is no stranger to the big stage, having raced in multiple Shaw and Partners World Ocean Series Open Ironman finals last season after earning his place via the coveted “golden ticket” awarded to the junior ironman winner. The former Newport athlete is thriving since making the move north, relishing the warmer weather and opportunity to train under childhood idol Hurst.

“Conner and I used to watch Ky and Shannon Eckstein race on TV when we were young, so now being able to train under Ky is a great experience and I’m super grateful for it.”

“I’m also loving that I don’t have to wear wetsuit tops and warm clothes up here – I can just rock up in board shorts and hop in the water … everything is more relaxed."