At the recent Junior Tasmanian Surf Life Saving Championships, the beach served up much more than sunshine and good waves.

Hundreds of children were scattered across the Burnie foreshore, surf caps on and high vis tank tops meant you could hardly make out which kid was yours.

But one young girl, despite being dressed in the identical outfit as all the others, stood out high above everyone else.

It was the iron person event and in her age group, there was an open water swim followed by boards.

As the starter’s gun fired, these little nippers took off into the waves.

By the 40-metre mark there were three distinct groups; those out in front, those in the middle of the pack and those who struggled with the big waves pounding towards them.

But then, just a little further back was a young girl.

This swim leg was going to be her challenge but not once did she look back at the shore. Her eyes remained out in front.

Water safety personnel swam alongside, but not once did she reach out for help.

The early leaders finished their swim leg, grabbed their boards and headed back into the waves.

Still this young girl kept swimming, even though at times it didn’t really look like she was even moving.

Slowly, all attention turned to this brave young competitor.

The race was won just as she finished the first section of the event, so who would have blamed her if she had finished her race then and there?

But that was not in her plan.

The girl picked up the only board left on the beach and ran back into the ocean.

Her mother began to cry knowing she was witnessing something very special from her child.

This mum knew what it would take for her daughter to finish this race and like the rest of us watching, there was nothing she could do to help other than scream encouragement from the shore.

We were now all cheering for only one competitor … And finally she made it!

It didn’t matter which surf club she was from because in that moment she represented everything surf life saving stood for.

She pushed through, she didn’t give up, she finished the race she had committed to and in my opinion, was the champion of the entire event.

I had to stop myself from grabbing this child I didn’t know and giving her the biggest hug.

I was so proud of her and felt so blessed to have witnessed that moment in her life.