You couldn't wipe the smile off Hugh Fawcett's face after he won his first gold medal at the Lifesaving Victoria Junior State Championships.
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The Warrnambool Surf Lifesaving Club member claimed gold in the under 9 boards race at Warrnambool Beach on Monday.
The youngster, who had his family cheering him on, was thrilled to get his first gold in his first year of nippers.
"I was nervous and excited," he said after the race.
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Hugh decided to join nippers after being inspired by his older siblings, Deny and Rory.
"My brother and sister were doing it," he said.
His brother Deny and sister Rory both took bronze medals in their respective beach relay events on the long-weekend.
Hugh, also a keen surfer, has jumped into his new water sport.
"I train Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays," the Warrnambool-based youngster said.
Fawcett was one of three club members who enjoyed success on the final day of competition.
Max Philpott secured bronze in the under 10 boards and Paddy Ragg claimed bronze in the under 11s surf swim.
Paddy also placed fourth in the under 11s iron event at the carnival.
It topped off a successful long-weekend for Warrnambool.
The club made 42 finals with 29 nippers finishing top 10 in their events.
It also had six individual medals-winners on Saturday and Sunday as well as a number of winning relay teams. Numerous competitors just missed out on a podium finish.
The Warrnambool club had 81 kids compete from under 9s through to under 13s. They participated in multiple disciplines including board, flags and beach sprints.
There were about 1500 nippers competing at the carnival over the long-weekend.
Warrnambool has hosted the junior state event most years of the past decade and the carnival will held in the city again next year.
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