Brayden Woodford had been building to this point for seven years.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The moment where he would be crowned a state champion. That moment finally came over the weekend, with Woodford taking out the under 14 boys surf race at the NSW Surf Life Saving Titles in Swansea Belmont.
Woodford then returned to win silver in the ironman and lead Bulli to bronze in the under 14 Mixed Cameron relay.
Having achieved a long-held dream, the teenager said it was a proud moment to cross the finish line in first place.
"I've definitely been building to this point," Woodford said. "Since I started nippers, I wasn't one of the best, but I gradually worked my way up and this year I took a good win.
"It was really fun to win. I've been working all season and started beating the kids that won last year, so it was a good race for me."
Woodford will now turn his focus to April's Australian Titles on the Gold Coast, where he hopes to cap a stellar season with a national gold medal.
"A few weeks ago I participated in a youth pathways event and I won the swim and now I won at state. Hopefully at Aussies I can win the swim up there, get a medal in the ironman and do well in the board. That would tick all the boxes for me this season."
Woodford's impressive results came on a successful weekend for the Illawarra's junior athletes.
Warilla-Barrack Point continued their run of form, the club securing eight medals and finishing as the top country club at the championships.
Jackson Walsh and Maddix Burke picked up silver medals in their respective board races, while Georgie Pickering was third in the under nine board race.
Miller Siasat won double gold for Kiama Downs in the under 11 boys beach sprint and flags events, with Ginger Siasat winning silver in the under nine girls flags and bronze in the beach sprint.
Corrimal's James Down claimed the under 10 boys surf race, while Wollongong City's Isabella Evans took out the under 11 girls one kilometre beach run.
While you're with us the Illawarra Mercury is offering sport readers 20% off an annual digital subscription. Sign up to stay up to date with all the local sports you love for only $3 a week. Terms and conditions apply.