As it turned out, she ended up with one after emerging victorious in the under-15 division at the Bird Rock Surf Classic at Rainbow Beach.

But it's still better than none.

Her competitive nature was set to take her from Bonny Hills to Newcastle for the regional titles on Saturday afternoon.

That was until she received a phone call from the Newcastle competition organisers just after heading past the Forster turn-off that her heat down there had been brought forward.

"I decided to do Bird Rock before regionals to begin with, but we then found out after my second surf that I did have a chance of going," she said.

"So we drove about an hour and then got a call saying we couldn't go anymore because they changed our heat.

"It was pretty annoying."

It was a window into 15-year-old's nature and what she was willing to do to surf in a competitive environment.

"I do a lot of Surfing Australia comps and I love competing so it would have been great to get to both," she said.

"It was a bit of a pity, but that's okay."

McManus' win in the under-15 girls division on Sunday was her second stint at the well-renowned surf classic.

"It was a bit of a surprise to win, but it's a great feeling," she said.

"I did one two years ago and it was really good then as well and I'd say it's my favourite comp to do.

"I love doing Bird Rock because it has such a calm, friendly and spiritual vibe and we remember those people who have surfed before us and are no longer with us."

The St Joseph's Regional College student said she enjoyed the peaceful environment of being out in the ocean.

"Surfing is a great sport," she said.

"I just love being out with the ocean and in the environment doing what I love, especially when there's dolphins and other marine life.

"It's great to be surrounded by things that you love and care for."