Karla Gilbert took out her 7th 12 Towers title on Sunday and revealed where she displays her trophies

Karla Gilbert is the queen of 12 Towers…and she has the garden to prove it.

KARLA Gilbert is the queen of 12 Towers … and she has the garden to prove it.

The 45-year-old former ironwoman yesterday claimed her seventh victory from as many starts in the iconic stand up paddleboarding race, which saw more than 150 paddlers complete the 14km downwind run from Snapper Rocks to Burleigh.

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About nine years after giving birth to her second child and taking up the sport, Gilbert said that the 12 Towers race was always a favourite on the racing calendar.

Karla Gilbert in action at the 12 Towers Ocean Paddle Festival. Photo by Georgia Schofield/ 12 Towers

“Nine years ago, this event was the first SUP event I ever did,” she said.

“It’s got a special piece of my heart because it’s the event that got me into the sport.”

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Now boasting seven immaculate 12 Towers trophies, the star waterwoman revealed she had found the perfect place to display the septenary in all their glory.

“I keep a lot of them (her trophies and medals) in boxes in the garage but the 12 Towers trophies make nice garden ornaments so I’ve got them on show scattered around my garden,” she said.

Noic Garioud and Karla Gilbert show off the 12 Towers trophy after wins in the long course race. Photo by Georgia Schofield/ 12 Towers

The health coach capped off a thrilling women’s race in the final kilometre, overpowering race leader Angie Jackson and catching a few waves into shore to deliver the stunning victory.

Kate Baker finished in second, followed by Jackson in third.

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“I didn’t actually know where I had come so I asked one of the officials on the beach who told me I’d won,” she said.

“It was a nice surprise.

“These days I’ve got kids and a family and a business so I try to get out there and have a paddle whenever I find the time.

“I just like trying to have fun out there and I don’t really care if they award a winner.

“I love challenging myself because so often I’m running after my kids so it’s great to get out there and race again.”

Karla Gilbert 1st in the Long Distance. Photo by Georgia Schofield/ 12 Towers

New Caledonian emerging superstar Noïc Garioud took out the men’s long course ahead of Ty Judson and 13-year-old Shuri Araki from Japan.