Jessica Watson's boyfriend was so desperate to meet the record-breaking sailor ten years ago that he spent days trying to meet her and win her heart during a boating competition.

Cameron Dale and the sailing extraordinaire met at Hamilton Island's Race Week in 2011 and were together until tragically died at Gold Coast University Hospital on Monday at the age of 29 - six weeks after he suffered a catastrophic stroke.

The couple's friend and colleague Duncan Curnow recalled that Cameron, affectionately known as 'Chop Chop' by his crewmates, was on a 'mission' to meet the teenage seafarer prior to their decade-long romance. 

'Jessica was one of several celebrities on the island, but he was adamant to get to know her - took quite a shinning to her from afar,' Mr Curnow told Daily Mail Australia.

Pictured: Jessica Watson sailing with her boyfriend Cameron Dale, who tragically died on Monday

The couple had a decade-long romance before Cameron Dale suffered a catastrophic stroke at 29

'It took days for him to track her down because she was a celebrity and quite protected.

'We all laughed and scoffed at him from a far...well he succeeded and they were together ever since.'

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Mr Curnow, who is the former managing director of marine clothing company Musto which sponsored Jessica when she circumnavigated the globe alone at 16, said he sailed with Cameron a number of times.

He described the young man as a 'passionate and avid sailor' who tragically had a 'zest for life'.

A friend told Daily Mail Australia the couple met during a competition at Hamilton Island in 2011

Jessica announced Cameron's shock death in a gut-wrenching social media post on Wednesday

'He put himself 1000 per cent into anything he did, never taking no for an answer, always smiling and having fun along the way,' Mr Curnow said.

'Learning as much as he could from elders, he was wise beyond his years.

'A tragic loss as would have been so successful.'

The last time he saw the couple together was at the Sandringham Yacht Club open day, and recalled they looked 'as happy as ever'.   

Jessica, 28, announced his shock death in a gut-wrenching social media post on Wednesday.

'On Monday, 30 August 2021 we lost our Cam - my long-term partner in every aspect of life and planned future,' she wrote.

In her social media post, Jessica said Cameron (pictured together) helped shape her into the person she is today

The couple had a range of life plans that were dashed when he tragically died on Monday

'Cam passed away peacefully nearly six weeks after a catastrophic stroke.'

'Cam and I have been inseparable since 2011, our shared world centred on messing about on boats. Describing what Cam means to me is impossible - everyone who knows us understands how much we simply loved each other.' 

Jessica then paid a heartbreaking tribute touching to the man she said helped shape her into the person she is today.  

'Even while experiencing indescribable grief, I feel so grateful for the family, friends, and communities Cam has given me and the person I've become with him,' she wrote.

'I take enormous strength from having been so devotedly loved. The years of treasured memories offer enormous comfort.'  

Cameron Dale (pictured) suffered a stroke six weeks ago. he was in hospital until he died on Monday

Jessica was named the 2011 Young Australian of the Year, before being awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2012. Pictured arriving back in Sydney in May 2010

'Being Cam's 'Jess' is the role I'm most proud of. Cameron Dale 21.12.1991 - 30.08.2021.' 

Despite Jessica's devastating loss, her agent told Daily Mail Australia that she will continue on in her role as a consultant for Netflix biopic 'True Spirit' - which will detail her solo trip around the world in 2010.

Sydney teenager Teagan Croft will star as Watson, True Blood star Anna Paquin will play her mother Julie, and Aussie actor Josh Lawson will play her dad Roger Watson. 

The film will be shot on location in Queensland and Sydney, Australia later this year with a predominantly local cast and crew. 

Filming under way: Teagan wore blue jeans and a grey jacket as she joined Anna on set on August 18

Filming underway: Anna Paquin (pictured) and Teagan Croft filmed scenes for Netflix's Jessica Watson biopic True Spirit on the Gold Coast on August 18

Jessica famously became the youngest person to sail around the world completely alone at age 16 and pent a total of 210 days - or close to seven months - alone at sea.

She was named the Young Australian of the Year in 2011 and became the youngest person to sail from Sydney to Hobart in the race.

She has since graduated from university and became a management consultant. 

Jessica also authored a book called Indigo Blue, which was inspired by her love of adventure and sailing.

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