Have you ever wondered what it’s like to see the world of Surf Sports through the eyes of a child?
We will tell you; it’s something extraordinary.
Wandering through the Race One tent at the Shaw and Partners Shannon Eckstein Classic, naturally finding the lollipops whilst taking in the rainbow of boards, skis and merchandise, the flicker of excitement in the eager eyes of a child could have replaced the evenings’ fireworks.
From the sand to the surf club, for the little legs that roamed through the pop-up city, the competition arena may as well have been a theme park.
Music dancing through the air, cheering crowds on their feet.
Sandcastles, ice cream, an obstacle course that never seemed to end.
Over this Race One board, around that one. Under her Race One ski, over his.
Drifting through the brightly standing tents, little ears listening, little eyes watching; sensing the anticipation, feeling the excitement.
On the edge of the arena observing quietly as athletes ran through their transitions.
Learning from the best, igniting a fire.
Flying through the finishing shoot to secure her first Shaw and Partners Shannon Eckstein Classic victory, Race Ones Georgia Miller was living out her dream in front of the ecstatic crowd!
“The day my sporting career stood still; this was something else!” she said.
“An absolute dream come true.”
For Race One Ironman Matt Bevilacqua, it was an emotional win.
With months of persistence, a torn ligament and stitches in his foot just hours before stamping his name for the second time as the Shaw and Partners Shannon Eckstein Classic Ironman Champion, Matts display of resilience could not be faulted.
“Thank you to everyone who has believed in me and kept me going this summer,
“Perseverance and gratitude to be a part of an event like that got me over the line!”
Walls of water pushed through the entirety of the weekend.
Waves were held. Skills were showcased.
Surf Sports thriving within the elements.
Watching on the side lines or cheering from afar, little eyes witnessed big dreams attained.
With big dreams comes big reward, and for Ben Carberry and Naomi Scott, the reward was just that!
Displayed below the surf club throughout the weekend, the radiant new cars did not go unnoticed by little eyes.
Securing the overall Shaw and Partners World Ocean Ironman and Ironwomen series respectively, Race One athletes Ben and Naomi each found themselves rolling on down the Gold Coast highway in their new sets of wheels.
Spotting the Race One craft upon the brightly coloured cars starts yet another conversation, it initiates an excitement, fuelling the fire that ignited on the beach front.
Daring to dream.
Preserving for success.
Lead by our Race One role models, the future and the world of surf sports through the eyes of a child, is extraordinary.
Scribed by Allie Lyndon