SHARK ATTACK HERO WHO SAVED A COOGEE MUM WINS HIS FIRST IRON SERIES RACE
Some wins mean more than others, and for shark attack hero Charlie Verco, Sunday's victory on the sand at Thirroul was a long time coming.
The 25-year-old surf athlete claimed his first ever Iron Series race win on November 15, five months after the day that changed his life.
Back in June, he paddled out at Sydney's Coogee Beach to rescue a mum who had been mauled by a shark.
The day a shark attack hero was made
Leah Stewart, 35, was swimming her usual morning route close to shore when a shark attacked her on June 13.
According to Marie Claire Australia, she fought back by punching the shark until it let go, with her thoughts on her young daughter, August.
Charlie raised the alarm and then paddled out on his board towards her, even though the shark was still close by.
New Idea reported that he couldn't see Leah at first because of the blood in the water.
He pulled her onto his board, and when she lost consciousness he kept her head above the water for the roughly 50 metres back to the beach.
Beachgoers and two trauma doctors who happened to be nearby helped give her emergency care on the sand.
Leah spent days in intensive care in an induced coma, and her left arm was later amputated.
She has since been relearning to walk, and her therapist says she has consistently exceeded expectations.
Too humble to call himself a hero
Charlie received a Surf Life Saving award for the rescue, but he insists he didn't do anything heroic.
He has told reporters that plenty of other people would have done the same thing.
After Leah woke up, she sent him a text to say thank you, and the pair have since met in person.
Charlie says she has been recovering faster than he expected, which is wonderful news for her family.
From rescue to the top of the podium
This weekend, the North Bondi athlete finally had his own moment in the spotlight.
As the ABC reported, Charlie won the third round of the Iron Series at Thirroul Beach in a sprint finish, beating Ethan Callaghan and Henry Simpson.
He went into the season as the top seed after the retirement of Ali Day, but the first win had eluded him until now.
Charlie described his journey as a "roller coaster", and said he felt comfortable setting his own pace at the front.
He also told the ABC he was simply happy that Leah was alright, which allowed him to stay focused on his racing.
Women leading the way on the beach too
The women's race was just as thrilling, with Naomi Scott from Northcliffe beating Emma Woods in a sprint up the sand.
Naomi will defend her world Ironwoman title at the world lifesaving championships in South Africa next week, so there's plenty more to cheer for.
The Iron Series heads to Newcastle in January.
A reminder to look after each other at the beach
With summer almost here, Charlie and Leah's story is a powerful reminder of the people who keep watch over our beaches, many of them volunteers.
Swimming at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags means trained lifesavers are close by if something goes wrong.
It's also worth checking local beach conditions and alerts before you head out, and never swimming alone.
If you'd like to support the volunteers who patrol our coastline, start with the Surf Life Saving Australia website.
You might even find a club near you, whether you're a mum looking for a new challenge or have a teenager who loves the water.
Most of all, it's a lovely example of what happens when ordinary people run towards trouble rather than away from it.
Here's to Charlie, to Leah, and to every lifesaver who will be on the sand this summer.
