Seven schools and 21 teams enjoyed an excellent offshore 2-3 foot break in the battle to determine the region's top surfing school.

The girls from St Mary Star of the Sea College in Wollongong joined forces with the boys at Edmund Rice to edge out defending champions Holy Spirit College, Bellambi for the overall award.

Former winner The Illawarra Grammar School (TIGS) was third, Warilla High was fourth, with a young Shellharbour Anglican College fifth in its first year in the challenge.

Corpus Christi Catholic High School and Smiths Hill also sent teams as the event continues to grow in popularity in its 11th year.

Holy Spirit year 9 student Jasper Bartlett was named the Most Valuable Male surfer and Warilla High's year 8 student Kiara Meredith the Most Valuable Female surfer.

But the challenge was decided on team honours, with each team comprising two juniors, two seniors and two female surfers.

And while St Mary's-Edmund Rice missed out on the top individual honours, they had the most productive team with their six team members consistently impressing the judges.

The challenge builds on the positive social relationship enjoyed between schools, while promoting the healthy benefits of surfing as a school sport.

"It is also a great way to promote surfing in a healthy, fun and positive way," event co-ordinator Vaya Phrachanh said.

Pines Surf Academy has been involved in teaching surfing since 1989.

Each year the academy holds regular camps, including three and five-day camps, in some of the best surfing spots along the coast.