Competing against a highly-competitive field, Air claimed the gold medal at Forster’s One Mile Beach.

She edged out Queenscliff duo Sophie McFadden and Zoe Preic.

While Air led the region’s charge, there were a number of other top performances from the South Coast. 

Thirroul clubmate Zoe Gelder was second in the under 13 short board title, only edged out by Central Coast entrant Molly Sheppard, who also competed against Air in the under 15s.

Max Bullen, from Kiama Downs, was fourth in the boys under 15s in a high-quality event won by Tacking Points’ Finn Askew.

Surf Life Saving NSW surf sports manager Rob Pidgeon believed that despite all the challenges, the 2017 NSW Board Riding Championships can be hailed a success.

“It was a highly entertaining and enjoyable three-day competition that was fought in good spirits,” Pidgeon said.

“While ideally we would have loved to be able to stage it at Birubi Point everyone was accepting of the challenging conditions and the rationale behind moving the competition. .

“The club, officials, and competitors all came together to ensure that the logistics of moving was handled as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Throughout the weekend the lifesavers certainly proved adept on the board and it was a great opportunity to showcase their skills in a different discipline ahead of what promises to be another bumper season of surf sports.”

Air advanced through a heat and semi-final, before taking the four-girl final.

A three-day event, it was open to competitors aged 12-70. The NSW Board Riding Championships was an opportunity for the best surfers within the surf Life Saving movement to temporarily throw off their patrol uniforms and show off their skills on the board.

The competition signals the beginnings of a new summer of surf sports.

Junior development athletes will be part of a Academy day on October 5, before all NSW clubs will host an open day on October 15.

Overall pointscore

Palm Beach 44

Wanda 26

Bondi Surf Bathers 23

Cudgen Headland 21

Maroubra 20

Fingal Beach 17

Stockton 16

Queenscliff 14

Cronulla 14

Wamberal 13, Thirroul 13,  MacMasters Beach SLSC 13, Woonona SLSC 12, North Avoca SLSC 12