Pixie Hanson grew up with a competitive streak that she harnessed in many sports, but did not have many opportunities to use it - that was before she moved to the Highlands.
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The 10 year-old grew up in Lord Howe Island with only one other girl her age to compete against, before she moved with her family to Bowral in 2021.
She represented the Warilla Barrack Point Surf Club, and also did the Highlands proud, when she came first in NSW Surf Life Saving Championships last month in Manly.
The young sports lover won the female under 11s one kilometre beach run, where she had to complete four 250 metre laps.
"It feels good," she said.
"We've been training for months, we started in lockdown."
Whilst she had her loved ones and former Lowe Howe teacher cheering her on in the grandstand, she said the win did not come without its challenges.
"There were quite a lot of kids to start with, I was caught in a stampede," she said, which caused her to trip over.
This setback meant Hanson was in last place, but she did not give up.
She said she tripped again in the final two laps, but was determined to make a comeback.
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For father and coach Luke Hanson, it was the opportunity for his daughter to compete against more young, like-minded athletes.
"I knew how determined she was," he said.
"She loves showing up."
The win followed her victory in the under 11s female one kilometre beach run, at the NSW Country Championship in January, in Forster.
The under 11s athlete also placed third in the event's Female Beach Sprint, and eighth in theFemale Surf Race and Female Ironperson race.
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She said she has played sports since she could "remember", and enjoyed being part of the Little Nippers in Lord Howe Island.
The sports lover currently trains with the Warilla Barrack Point Surf Club, swims and trains in Bowral and competes for Bowral Little Athletics.
"I just like competing, I just like doing stuff," she said.
"Sport is a nice way to meet friends and do something together and it is something we have in common."
Hanson came away with the second fastest time in in NSW for the 1500 metre sprint at the South Coast Highlands Zone Championships in December.
Her record time means she will compete in the NSW Track and Field Championships in Homebush this month.
The sporting champion's success does not stop there - she has broken her athletics club's 1991/1992 under 11 Girls 1500 metre and the 1990/1991 U11 Girls 800 metre Club records.
She won the 800 metre race the regional championships.
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