Omanu surf lifesaver Braith Swanberg was meant to be on the tools in Tauranga this week, unblocking drains and tightening tap fittings.

Instead, the 17-year-old apprentice plumber found himself on a blazing hot Gold Coast beach, taking on - and beating - some of the best surf athletes in the world.

Braith was a late call-up to the Junior Black Fins at the world championships at Kurrawa Beach, after injury took out Taranaki’s Daniel Callebaut, but it was hard to tell on the first few days of racing, as he came away with a silver medal in the board rescue and an outstanding fourth place in the Oceanman final.

Braith Swanberg competing at the Oceanman world champs on the Gold Coast, Australia. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

“I was supposed to be at work on Monday, but I got called up on Saturday at 11am and they said I’d be racing at the weekend for worlds. It’s pretty surreal,” says Braith.

“I’ve grateful that I’m here. Obviously, I would have been working.”

Luckily Braith’s boss was understanding and supportive - he works for his dad Greg, an Omanu club stalwart and very proud father.

Braith Swanberg competing at the Oceanman world champs on the Gold Coast, Australia. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

“Braith had a pretty good nationals, won the under-17 ironman and got the top under-17 at nationals,” says Greg.

“But there were a lot of other top athletes, and they made him first reserve. Then Daniel Callebaut from Taranaki got injured.

“Last Saturday we got the call to put Braith on the plane on Sunday for the Gold Coast. It was a bit rushed, but he was pretty excited.”

It was 14-15 degrees in Tauranga when Braith left, and around 32 degrees on the Gold Coast and he says it’s taken some acclimatising.

“On Saturday I was training in a wet suit, and here I’m in speedos all day,” says Braith.

“On Thursday I would have been driving the van around, doing a few drop offs, working with the old man. He’s still working.”

Oceanman world champs on the Gold Coast, Australia. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

Junior Black Fins coach Zac Franich was disappointed for Daniel but thrilled with the way Braith fitted in.

“Braith has been in our wider squad and had an impressive summer of racing and he’s also been keeping his swimming training up,” says Zac.

“But it’s his attitude which has really been great - he’s fitted in so well this week and really brought some enthusiasm and energy into the team, and we’re stoked with how he raced on the first day.”

Greg says Braith is very proud of his Omanu club back home.

“He has Cory Hutchings and Danielle McKenzie as his surf coaches here. And his swimming coach is Stan Teokotai-White who has also been instrumental to Braith’s success,” says Greg.

“He also has great clubmates who have been supportive of him and helped with his success and pushing him along.”

Braith Swanberg competing at the Oceanman world champs on the Gold Coast, Australia. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

Greg says Braith’s been working for him for about three months.

“He would have been at work. He’s just started a plumbing apprenticeship with me.

“Because he works for me, it’s easy for me to give him time off. He’s in the pool from 5.45am most mornings training with Stan. I expect him at work at 8am, he works until 4pm and then he comes home, feeds himself and is at training by 4.30pm at the beach, doing his Ironman training with Corey.”

Braith says since the NZ nationals, he’s been keeping up his training and felt prepared for the Gold Coast Oceanman.

“I’ve been doing quite a bit of swimming, so I’m going into these competitions pretty confident,” says Braith.

“I haven’t touched a board since nationals, haven’t really done a run set since nationals, so just trying to find my place here and where I fit.”

After the two completed days on the beach, the New Zealand junior team are currently third behind Australia and France, heading into the pool competition.

So far Braith has achieved silver in the board rescue with Gisborne’s Yahni Brown, fourth in the Oceanman, fourth in the surf race, fourth as the swimmer in the Oceanman relay, fourth as the swimmer in the Oceanman mixed relay, and seventh in the board race.

“He has also won a bronze medal in the pool in the 4 x50 Obstacle Relay with Yahni, Jasper and Isaac,” says Greg.

Greg says the NZ team have been at the pool for the last two days and Braith has one final this afternoon.

Additional reporting: Jamie Troughton.