Some athletes explode out of the blocks.
Others grow stronger the longer the race goes.

Jemma Smith belongs firmly in the second category – and in my opinion, she is one of the most under-rated athletes in Australia.

A two-time World Ocean Ski Champion and winner of the iconic Coolangatta Gold, Jemma knows what it takes to endure — physically, mentally, and emotionally. In this episode, she reflects on one of the most defining moments of her career: her second-place finish at the 2019 Coolangatta Gold, the closest finish in the event’s history.

For many, that moment could have been a lifelong “what if”.
For Jemma, it fuelled the fire, and drove her to a new level of excellence.

She opens up about how that narrow defeat sharpened her resolve, reshaped her preparation, and ultimately drove her to go one better on one of surf lifesaving’s most unforgiving stages.

At just 26, Jemma continues to redefine consistency and longevity. She is the winner of an extraordinary 12 Champion Lifesaver titles at the Australian Championships, a record that speaks volumes about her all-round mastery of the sport.

Away from competition, Jemma is already giving back, coaching the next generation of sprint kayakers through her role at the NSW Institute of Sport.

This is a conversation about patience, perspective, and the power of using disappointment as a turning point — with one of Australia’s finest endurance athletes.