While the Canberra-Moruya Vikings defended their open men’s title by claiming line honours for the seventh time in as many days, Wollongong City finished second to clinch the overall runners-up tag.

Torquay were third overall and Kiama were fifth.

Bulli’s tough veteran men’s crew won their sixth stage to finish on top of their division, while Gerringong and Coledale were fourth and seventh in the open women.

Also flying the flag for Bulli was Michael Locke, who won the seven-day surf ski race.

‘‘It’s been seven gruelling days over 190km and we’ve had 23 boats and 14 skis completing the marathon,’’ race spokesman Darren Saffin said.

City were represented by a crew of first-timers and had sweep Rod Latham singing their praises.

‘‘It’s such a fantastic effort by our young guys. I never dreamed that we’d be up where we were, that’s for sure,’’ Latham said.

‘‘All I wanted to do was take them away for a rowing camp and get them to survive it, but after the first day they thought they could do all right and the competitive juices kicked in.

‘‘They’ve come through it with flying colours and it’s really made them. They’ve certainly come out of it with a lot of confidence and skills.’’

Latham said City wanted to return with the same crew for another crack in 2014.

‘‘We’ll see what happens. A lot could happen in the next two years but they’re certainly all very keen to do it again,’’ he said.