One Charles Sturt University (CSU) student is holding onto her surf life saving club membership despite her move to inland Australia to complete her studies. Ms Bec Thomson, a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science student at CSU in Wagga Wagga, is pursuing her chosen sport - surf life saving - with a passion, setting her sights on the coming national championships on the Gold Coast early next month. Originally from the small town of Ulverstone in northwest Tasmania, Ms Thomson transferred from a university in her home state to the medical radiation science program at CSU in Wagga Wagga in 2011. During the State Surf Championships held on Tasmania’s Clifton Beach on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 March, Ms Thomson won four out of the five individual races. They included the surf race, board race, ski and tube rescue races. Representing the Devonport Surf Life Saving Club, Ms Thomson also won the mixed double ski event and was a member of the winning relay teams. The CSU student took home eight gold and four silver medals. “Given that my sport is in the sea, I used to spend every day at the beach. So now being four hours inland has certainly been a bit of a change,” Ms Thomson said. “I swapped my surf ski for a kayak. I paddle with the Wagga Wagga Bidgee Canoe Club on the Murrumbidgee River three or four times a week. I also swim four times a week at the local aquatic centre.”