The Southland Boys' High School team of Noah Stratford, Rohan Murray and Brandon Crowther won the annual Southland Scholastic Surf Competition on Saturday, just pipping James Hargest College in the battle for the title.

It was a repeat of last year’s success for Southland Boys' High School, with Thornbury School the 2020 runner up.

The individual female champion surfers of the competition were James Hargest College students, Katie and Sophie Oliver, Junior and Senior Girls Champions respectively.

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The individual male champions were Rohan Murray and Noah Stratford of the victorious SBHS team, who won Junior and Senior Boy’s Champions respectively.

Despite a late change of venue from Trees at Colac Bay to Tihaka Beach, Southland Boardriders Assocation spokesperson Boyd Wilson said the championships featured “a great turnout in perfect conditions".

“An inaugural Market and Swap Meet held in conjunction with the competition attracted good interest and is an innovation the Southland Boardriders Association are keen to grow in the future,” Wilson said.

The focus now turns to the biggest competition of the year, the Colac Bay Classic, scheduled for weekend of March 13 and 14.

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The first classic was held in 2014 and attracts competitors from throughout the South Island.

The event caters for a wide range of age groups, from under 10 through to over 40 (Old Schoolers).

There is an Open category plus separate classes for long boards.

A single elimination format is employed for competition, with first and second progressing into the next round.

The Southland Boardriders Association is a club of 140 members aged between 4 and 70-plus years old.